24-Hour Hotline to Help Illegal Immigrants Launches from Chicago
- Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:19pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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855-HELP-MY-F(amily), a 24-hour crisis line dedicated to illegal immigrants seeking information about deportation issues, was launched by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. The ICIRR, a privately funded group, will offer legal aid and assistance over the phone to callers as far away as California, who have already heard of the hotline via word of mouth from its month-long test period. Dagmara Lopez of the ICIRR told the Chicago Tribune:
“We’ve had calls from New York, New Jersey, California mostly, North Carolina,’ she said. ‘One morning, we got about 50 calls within an hour.’”
During the test period 67 volunteers fielded 173 calls.
“In each case, a volunteer walked the caller through a checklist of questions before referring that person to attorneys, social service agencies or the Mexican Consulate of Chicago, said Salvador Cervantes, a senior organizer at ICIRR who helped develop the hotline.”
More than 67 languages are spoken by the Chicago staff. The hotline is modeled after similar programs that provide guidance to the homeless and victims of domestic violence
The ICIRR writes that in the last five years, 48,330 people have been deported from the Chicago ICE region leaving an estimated 80,550 children without a parent, reports NBC Chicago.
Many of the calls to the hotline have come from people asking about the 300,000 deportation cases under review by the Department of Homeland security, ICIRR Director Stephen Smith told the Chicago Tribune.
The hotline spurred a heated discussion on Fox News’ “The Five” Tuesday:
What do you think? Certainly a privately-funded group has the right to launch a business. But do you think providing assistance to illegals and their families goes too far?
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Comments (111)
Weiners Wiener
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:53pmI wonder if they have to ‘press 2 for Spanish’?
Report Post »ACLUHater
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:58pmThere always was a hotline. 1-800-GET-LOST.
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:01pmhope so
Report Post »ThomasUSA
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:02pmIt is probably press “2” for English…
Report Post »Dug2Dark
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:07pmNo, the recording is in spanish. You press 2 for arabic.
Report Post »Edct
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:30pmEvery real American should call this number ever day every hour and tell them how much we resent this crap in our country.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:34pm… I think the proper term is ‘Illegal Alien’. Illegal Immigrant implies some glimmer of legitimacy, and we won’t have that for people who break the laws of the land … these two bit liberal marxist‘ bleeding hearts who assist lawbreakers need to be deported right along side all ’Illegal Aliens.’
Report Post »Indymaverick
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:58pm@ weiners weiner. Post of the day !!
Report Post »TxSon
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:42pmI prefer the term “Criminal Alien”. Libs just love to shout down opponents with phrases saying there is no such thing as an Illegal human being. Fine, let’s be straight up about it. They are Criminal Aliens.
Glenn, would you please support this change in terminology?
Report Post »Common.Cents
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:43pmI just think it is funny how it is 1-800-HELP MY F …. didn’t anyone foresee that being a little weird? I think they might get callers they don’t want…
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:03pmPress 3 for voter registration.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:09pmnope..press1 for english..
Report Post »Deanna in Missouri
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:28pmchazman
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:34pm
… I think the proper term is ‘Illegal Alien’. Illegal Immigrant implies some glimmer of legitimacy, and we won’t have that for people who break the laws of the land … these two bit liberal marxist‘ bleeding hearts who assist lawbreakers need to be deported right along side all ’Illegal Aliens.’
I personally call them illegal invaders because they are invading our country. Wonder what this country would do if we were being invaded by China? Disgusting. I think we are just about at the point where Americans are going to take this into their own hands.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:48pmHow Christian of all of you. Nice to know that your love of mankind doesn’t extend beyond worldy man-made citizenship laws.
Please, someone try to make the case that Jesus would write snarky, nasty posts mocking illegal immigrants in in need.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 7:15pm@ PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:48pm YOU WROTE:
“How Christian of all of you. Nice to know that your love of mankind doesn’t extend beyond worldy man-made citizenship laws.
Please, someone try to make the case that Jesus would write snarky, nasty posts mocking illegal immigrants in in need.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IF your ONLY point is to question snarky remarks, ok. But don’t make the BIGGER mistake of suggesting that Jesus has no standards, no moral absolutes, and no interest in right and wrong. Jesus NEVER made a distinction between love & truth.
1. Are you alternately suggesting that JESUS would approve of human trafficking? Drug trafficking? Destruction of national parks? Breaking laws?
2. Did you forget that Jesus acknowleged that governmental power was granted by God to mankind?
3. Do you believe that when Jesus returns, he will judge the nations and rule with “a rod of iron”?
Which is the worse sin: (1) illegally entering a country and breaking scores of laws for self-benefit and abusing the support system? (2) making a snarky comment?
Get real.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 7:49pmFun, fun fun.
But let me address those points.
1) Jesus had no problems defying Roman and local Jewish authority power in his humanitarian mission, so I don’t think he would care much about the finer details of American immigration law. More than anything, I would think that Jesus would want you to love thy neighbor and not condemn him/her for acts committed by others (destruction of national parks? Really?).
2) So you’re for big government? Government acts with the power of God? Governments can overrule commandments?
3) This seems fairly irrelevant, but are you really suggesting that this overrules the imperative to love thy neighbor?
And to your final quesiton, it’s not a matter of what is worse, given that the impotent little ranting on this board mean very little in the world. It seems to me that you are making a relativist argument here–and you see, I never would have pegged you as a moral relativist.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:14pmCatholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is a proud supporter of illegal Mexican immigration.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:30pm@PencilMan – Perhaps Jesus would round up Mexicans and keep them in the Desert until they show faith in Jesus Christ. Roman Catholic Church is their salvation, not Jesus Christ. Give your pesos to the church to buy your salvation before entering the road to the fields of the United States of America.
Report Post »Better Dead Than Red
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:24pmI’ll bet the people manning the english speaking lines have nothing to do all day..
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:12pmYo pencilman:
Report Post »Please state exactly in the bible where Jesus said to purposefully break a law.
Please show me ONE place….!!!
banjarmon
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:23amWe should call that number and ask….HOW CAN I GET OUT OF CHICAGO????
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:28amCall this # 855-435-7693….Help I want to get out of Chicago!!!
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 2:32am@ PubliusPencilman
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” ~ Jesus
“So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” ~ Jesus
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” ~ Paul
“Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious.” ~ Solomon
“”You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” ~ Jesus
“Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” ~ Paul
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good” ~ Paul
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” ~ Peter
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 2:40am@ PubliusPencilman
When you present a version of Jesus that has no interest in Justice, or in obedience to authority – you knowingly ignore the truth. Jesus was not a spineless hippie who flouted the rules and just wanted everyone to “get along”. He not only kept the Law, but challenged people to to higher level of purity that begins inside our very hearts, where sin begins.
Even the occupying Romans observed this: The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:06amAnd when was it I said any of YOU should be breaking the law? My point was that you were all gleefully willing to cast off people who are quite possibly in serious humanitarian distress. Jesus cured the lepers, despite the commonly-held belief that they were cursed by God.
Report Post »UH60L13
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:12am“The ICIRR writes that in the last five years, 48,330 people have been deported from the Chicago ICE region leaving an estimated 80,550 children without a parent.” See that is a problem that could be solved very easy, send the children with their parents back to the Country they came from prior to crossing our borders illegally!!!!
14th Amendment doesn’t give the Children special causes to stay in our Country illegally.
Section 1.
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
What folks miss is the little word AND, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, AND subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside…” So if your parent wasn’t a legal citizen to begin with, then there isn’t a legal jurisdiction for their child to become a legal citizen. Deport the whole family!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:22amYo publiuspencilman;
Report Post »What do you think Jesus would do if He came upon a thirsty illegal alien. I KNOW the answer… because a whole book of the bible actually directly addresses it, but I am interested in you responce before I show you what and where…..YOU UP TO IT?
Not trying to be self-righteous, just helpful !
Brizz
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:23pmPUBLIUSPENCILMAN VS. TH30PH1LUS!
Good debate!
TH30PH1LUS, one of my favorite thinkers on the Blaze, solid as always.
Report Post »PUBLIUSPENCILMAN, not sure everyone could agree you were able to back up your argument successfully, but stick around. We welcome the commentary.
PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 4:02pmWell, we certainly have the example of the Samaritan. Now, when Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for some water, she may have questioned why a Jew was talking to her, given the long standing emnity between the two neighboring groups (Americans and Mexicans anyone?). What she didn’t do was to yell for immigration to cart him away! yes indeed, Jesus is the immigrant in this situation–and so where the apostles and the martyrs of early Christianity so many times!
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 5:21pmYo Publiuspencilman:
You need a shorter name….thanks for responding.
I must first apologize to you in that I mentioned Jesus as the example. It was/is not Him, but it is in His Word, so same thing.
I would like to respond to your reply and then give you another opportunity to get back to me. (it would only be fair). In fact I’ll give you a hint…short book, one chapter, New Testiment. I will say that it does not necessarily have to do with water just the principle.
As far as the Samaritan….Jesus was a Jew on Jewish land so He was not illegal in this situation. This story is an example to us to reach out to the lesser in our society. To not be respecters of persons and to not look down on anyone for any reason. The Samaritans were looked down apon by the Jews and did not associate with them. But, Jesus as always did the opposite of the world. You do mention that we are to be helpers, and in this you are correct….Blessings…look forward to your reply.
Report Post »lukabrasi
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:53pmAndrea says illegal immigrants are doing jobs Americans don’t want.
Just so you know Andrea, not only have they taken away the jobs that Americans want, they have driven down the wages of what use to be an honorable profession with an income that would stay up with the cost of living and inflation.
Now I have also heard the argument that we let them come over here because the demand for construction workers out numbered what we could supply here.
Report Post »My response: When I first purchased my home, a fixer upper, I had a paint and repair party.
My friends and relatives came over with their skills and assisted in the labor. In return I fed them well, bought them drinks and we had a good time. After 2 days when the work was completed,
THEY WENT HOME. they did not move in. Why? Because their services were no longer needed.
Anyone that cannot get a grasp on this is welcome to send their SS# out there for the taking and see what happens, or how many illegal immigrants will gladly use it.
penguin40
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:32pmLUKABRASI you’re right. There are jobs that many American‘s won’t do…but why? As you said, its because there is someone willing to do the job for half the price which drives the market pay rate for that job down. If the supply of labor willing to do the job for those ridiculous wages dries up, then the market will adjust to higher pay rates. Personally, I’d rather my house cost more to build because the labor costs more, than to have to pay the same (or more) $$$ on the back-end to provide healthcare and everything else to the illegals.
Another point I’d like to make is that there was a time when many of these jobs were done by the American TEENAGER. Mowing lawns, working at fast food joints….teenagers. Now, we just have a bunch of lazy teenagers sitting around who grow up to be lazy adults because they never learned to work!
I work with a lot of LEGAL immigrants. They bust their butts to get to stay here. They constantly have some red tape paperwork they have to fill out. I feel sorry for them and angry at the illegals who are cheating (and angry at our government that has such a screwed up process). We always joke that they should just go across the border, change their name to Jose and come back….then, knowing how all us “white folk” are terrified of the Political Correctness Nazi that would descend on us if we hurt their feelings, they can get irate at anyone that questions their status.
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:52pmSo this is what Obammy means about creating jobs. Jobs to help illegals.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:52pm“The ICIRR, a privately funded group,”
Um… looks like they’re not getting state funding, so I think you’re off-basis here.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:02pm“The ICIRR writes that in the last five years, 48,330 people have been deported from the Chicago ICE region leaving an estimated 80,550 children without a parent, reports NBC Chicago”.
So why didn’t the illegal alien parents take the illegal alien kids with them? Can you say Anchor Babies?.
Report Post »slr4528
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:54pmObama has to round up his voters for the 2012 election.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:48pmI hope the lines get swamped. The more illegals the US can track, the easier it’ll be for the next administration to find, and boot the “F” out of here.
Report Post »Timothy_Reid
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:48pmI think you’re all being terrible. It’s horrific splitting up a family………..ship them all out together regardless. There’s a process for immigration into this country already. FOLLOW IT!!!
Report Post »Locked
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:53pmI was just thinking, wouldn’t it be a kicker if the hotline people were like “Go to this address here to get help!” and deportation officials were waiting for them?
Report Post »cntrlfrk
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:48pm‘
This should help the economy!
:o/
Report Post »suzy000
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:48pmI don’t care what anyone says…this is a Dem. Campaign device….no doubt about it!
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:10pmI concur. With independents wising up to BO’s BS, democrats will have to pull in votes from another source.
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:48pmUnfortunately, no politician will do anything about sanctuary cities like Chitown. Illegal imigrants just make the problems worse. They are today’s slave labor and are exploited all over the country.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:42pmheck,lets just take them all to Chicago and let the so called left wing nut freeloader unions and obama and his communist loving buddies support them,obama can ask is money daddy george soros for the money .
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:41pmI bet they are looking for more voters via these hot lines……………………….
Report Post »Disnylv
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:46pmVoters, up, toss them out of the usa!!! Sweet DUDe, the illegals need to be identifed and removed in a nice peaceful way. No harm or threat, but I would like my SS number back. Hey who counts those votes anyhow? HOw do we police the police ????
Report Post »out of many one
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:38pmAiding and abetting.
As to the children left behind when parents were deported?? Why did these parents abandon their children and not bring them back to where they came from.? Even though technically “citizens” of the U.S. they belong with parents and no law mandates they stay here. That is a CHOICE of the parents-as was their original poor CHOICE to break our laws and enter illegally in the first place.
Report Post »GrandmaDee367
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:32pmThe illegal alien parents leave them here so that when the anchor reaches the age of 18, that anchor can sponsor the illegal parent so they can come back into the U.S.. The scam not many American citizens know about.
Report Post »Y2kHoax61
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:37pmWhy not??? The ILWU union in Longview WA has coaching and instructions on how to break the law and then blame police and sheriff for enforcing the law. The law means nothing to these people.
Report Post »BillyPenn
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:37pmShould be re-named, Illinois Coalition for new Democrat voters.
Report Post »TxMadMac
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:34pmWhy did they arrest that guy for shooting congresswoman gifford ? After all he only broke the law ! Let’s all protest and get him out. It’s so unfair. His poor family.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:32pmI’m pretty sure it would be legal to open a business that helps bank robbers on the lam. You know….it’s the humanitarian thing to do.
Report Post »CCRYDER
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:31pmHmmm…48k+ deported…80k+ kids left behind. What’s wrong with these people – who in their right mind would leave their kids behind?
Report Post »spirited
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:00pmAdoption?
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:31pmHey if the Illegals are calling from NC I say Chicago you need to pay for them to fly up there and keep them up there with you.
Report Post »scrapadapolis
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:31pmLies who gets deported and leaves their kids.How it should be done..Hotline how can I help?A ok whats your address?Ok will be sending someone over as soon as we can.Look for a big white bus,Thank you for using the hotline..And also these people running the hotline are breaking the law by helping them keep breaking the law.Hey did Obama call in..
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:30pmOkay illegals Chicago is now willing to pay all your medical bills. Utilites Rent, Food , Housing, They will pay for your illegal children, They will keep you up for the rest of your lives just move to chicago it is all free. They might even provide you with vacation time and free SUV’s
Report Post »netmail
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:28pmIs this an ICE program that‘s going to work like ’Fast and Furious’ did??
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:27pmAre we sure it is privately funded? I think an investigation should ensue to ensure that no government funding is received via a backdoor source for this.
We should call with our best hispanic accent and see if they give us advice and encourage us to “break the law” again.
Report Post »Dug2Dark
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:23pmHas bho called it yet???????
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:23pmIf it is to help deport them I will gladly help … ready the buses and planes and send them home!
Report Post »Dug2Dark
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:29pmHey, didn’t you know. Thanks to bho, buses do fly now.
Report Post »FEMALL
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:23pm24 Hour Hotline for Citizen Taxpayers=IRS
OMG
Report Post »GodblessGlennBeck
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:21pmIt’s no different than hiding a fugitive from justice.
Report Post »