TAMPA TRIBUNE July 14, 2006
Immigration Issue Stirred Resentment, Hispanics Say
TAMPA - The Rev. William Cruz decided to stay away when plans for an immigration march in Tampa were unveiled.
Cruz, who works with migrant workers in Wimauma, said he thought the march would add to bad feelings toward Hispanics.
A report released Thursday by the Pew Hispanic Center supports Cruz's suspicions. Fifty-four percent of Hispanics surveyed nationwide said there has been an increase in discrimination since the immigration debate heated up this year.
The marches held May 1 in Tampa, Orlando and other cities across the country sought to bring attention to the contribution of immigrants in the United States.
The marches were in response to two immigration bills in Congress, including one that would make it a felony to be in the United States illegally. Any action on the reforms could be delayed until fall, while the House of Representatives and the Senate try to reach a compromise on the bills.
The marches made Hispanics a target for criticism, Cruz said. Many are still feeling the impact.
"It really troubles me because this is not what America is all about," he said.
John Hendrix, organizer of the Tampa chapter of the Florida Minutemen, agreed the attitude toward Hispanics has changed. However, he said any negativity is directed at illegal immigrants, not Hispanics in general.
"I think Americans can distinguish between legal and illegal behavior," said Hendrix, whose group of volunteers monitor U.S. borders, trying to curb illegal immigration.
The survey of 2,000 Hispanics did not track whether the participants were legal. Despite perceptions of increased discrimination, the Pew report shows that a majority of Hispanics think the immigration debate has united them.
"It's brought the community back together," said Blanca Gonzalez, president of Immigrants United for Freedom, the group that organized the Orlando march. "It's made everyone more aware of what their surroundings are."
The emphasis is on turning that cohesiveness into political action, Gonzalez said. Her organization has registered 2,500 voters this year, she said, and is encouraging more people to start the process toward legalization.
More political participation will be one positive outcome of the marches, Gonzalez said, but it might not be enough to overcome discrimination.
Still, Gonzalez said the fear of discrimination should not be a reason for the Hispanic community to back down.
"This hatred has been growing," she said. "We shouldn't wait until everything is basically on fire."
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