Bold: Illegals Openly Campaign for Dems in Wash.
- Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:02am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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SEATTLE (AP) — When Maria Gianni is knocking on voters’ doors, she’s not bashful about telling people she is in the country illegally. She knows it‘s a risk to advertise to strangers that she’s here illegally — but one worth taking in what she sees as a crucial election.
The 42-year-old is one of dozens of volunteers — many of them illegal immigrants — canvassing neighborhoods in the Seattle area trying to get naturalized citizens to cast a ballot for candidates like Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who is in a neck-to-neck race with Republican Dino Rossi.
Pramila Jayapal, head of OneAmerica Votes, says the campaign is about empowering immigrants who may not feel like they can contribute to a campaign because they can’t vote.
“Immigrants really do matter,” Jayapal said. “If we can’t vote ourselves, we’re gonna knock on doors, or get family members to vote.”
So far the illegal immigrants going door-to-door aren’t meeting opposition. Craig Keller, an organizer for Respect WA, a group pushing for stricter immigration law in the Washington, said he doesn’t mind illegal immigrants volunteering for vote drives, he just wants to make sure mistakes on the voter rolls don’t allow them to vote.
“Anybody can go out and wave a sign, but when it comes to who’s making the choices, there’s no question they need to be citizens,” Keller said.
In close elections across the country, the immigrant and minority vote is considered key for candidates, especially Democrats.
Earlier this week in Nevada, a television ad urging Latinos not to vote sparked outcry from Democrats, who called it a dirty trick meant to keep Hispanics home and boost Republican candidates. Univision and Telemundo — the nation’s two largest Spanish-language networks — canceled the ad, which the Republican group Latinos for Reform had planned to eventually run in Nevada, Florida, California, Texas and Colorado through the Nov. 2 election.
Seattle is home to a wide array of immigrant communities, from Latinos to east Africans and Asians.
Congress declined this year to consider overhauling the country’s immigration law, much to the chagrin of immigrant advocates who had expected Democrats to do so by now.
Still, OneAmerica Votes launched one of the largest get-out-the-vote campaigns in the state on behalf of Democratic candidates. The organization is an offshoot of OneAmerica, one of the state’s largest and the most influential immigrant-rights advocacy group.
Through home visits, phone banks and mailings the organization is aiming to reach about 40,000 registered voters in the Seattle area in an attempt to help Democrats gain ground in key races. Volunteers include other types of people who can’t vote, such as legal permanent residents.
About 150 volunteers rolled out in nine cities across Washington this past week, knocking on 3,000 doors.
In Bellevue, a city of nearly 123,000 east of Seattle, Gianni knocked on 25 doors and spoke to 15 people, she said.
One man, a naturalized citizen from the Philippines, said he knew what she was going through after she shared she was in the country illegally.
“There’s always a risk,” Gianni said in Spanish about her legal status. “But if there’s a change, I would feel like I contributed, even in a small part, to a change we all need.”
Gianni arrived in the United States on a visa 13 years ago looking for work and stayed. For a while her only son lived here, but has since moved back to Mexico.
“In order for there to be a change to our broken immigration system,” she said, “I believe one has to fight.”
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Comments (103)
libertyordeath87
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:27amCongratulations Democrats, you just pushed the country one step closer to the inevitable Civil War that will soon be waged.
Report Post »derekcrane
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:21amA good job at a good wage. No American would condescend to take such a job.
Report Post »JStiverson
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:20amIllegals would pull for Dems. Share the wealth from hard working americans right? Ha!
Report Post »Deda1
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:19amI would make a citizens arrest and call ICE and Home Security and tell them I have an illegal who is a potential terrorist.
Report Post »NOTWGal
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:11amYou are welcome in my home, my house. You don’t have to come through the back door like a servant. If you have the prudence and conviction to do the hard work to come to America legally, you are welcome, and you can come through the front door. I am waiting for you with open arms.
Report Post »TJeff2112
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:05amThe democratic party are the slave owners of today. They are not trying to solve poverty or the illegal alien problems of this country. The progressive need these people to remain on the fringes with subsistence welfare and keep growing a population of people in dire straights to enrich their base, and their own pockets. This is where the left gets their power from. It is sickening, corrupt, and immoral.
Report Post »Chett
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:03amWhile I agree for the most part that something really has to be done about immigration I also have to admit that I have been illegal a few times. I have overstayed tourist visas in various countries, and wound up paying some pretty stiff fines when I left. In a world where you can often live most anywhere and still do your job I suspect we need some new ways to deal with citizenship/residency. There are I suspect a lot of ‘expats’ these days, living in various parts of the world …and sigh paying double taxes because of it :/
Report Post »GunnyB
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:00amHere’s how this would work in Maricopa county, Arizona. “Why yes Maria my illegal friend, please come in and talk to me about your immigration status and who you want me to vote for. Please wait a second while I make a quick phone call. Hello, Sheriff Joe? Could you please send a deputy to remove an illegal invader from my home? Thank you.” Easy huh?
If you can’t do this in your county, state, or city, then you need to vote for people like Joe Arpaio. Without people like Arpaio in office you will continue to have illegals and socialists thumbing their noses at you or grabbing their crotches and flipping you off while laughing at your inability to do anything about it.
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:11amAwesome Gunny! Right on.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:56amif we had someone show up at OUR door saying that, esp wanting us to vote for socialism in AMerica, they‘d be detained for criminal trespass until the police arrive under CITIZEN’s arrest. and damn lucky they lived to talk about it. this has got to STOP. they are ILLEGAL.
Report Post »TEXAS
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:15amIn the state of (ignore the illegals) Texas I am not sure they would not just take them down the road and let them out, with a warning of just do not go back to that house.
Report Post »faires
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:47amHell yes the illegals are pulling for the Democrats, that was the Dems plan along!___Why do ya think they won’t do anything about the border!!?____ Dems are Letting them in America while the Dems are in power, so the illegals will be ever grateful, and show they’re appreciation, by campaigning & eventually voting!__-Wah-La__Instant bigger voter base!!__C’mon Dems, you can do better than that, we’ve been onto you for a while now!!!
Report Post »TEXAS
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:46amAm loosing hope every day that this country is so messed up that it cannot be turned around.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:53amPlease, oh please, don’t lose hope. That is what the left is counting on – that they wear us down ’til we submit to their system. At 62 I may not see the reversal of the damage already done but I will fight ’til I die so my children and grandchildren live freely. Stand firm and we will win!
Report Post »krjones
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:44amWe are no longer a country of laws!
Report Post »Janesore
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:48amCriminals campaigning for Criminals, how real change, this crap has got to stop!!
Report Post »starman70
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:43amIf someone came to my door and claimed they were illegal, I’d call the INS. I surely wouldn’t vote the way they wanted me to. Although Washington is a more liberal state, I hope the voters have enough sense to see that all these illegals want in more and more welfare, free housing, free medical care and more food stamps.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:39amThe INS has had it’s cahones cut off by the muslim in chief. What a sad, sad statement on America when illegals proudly campaign in full view for communist politicians. And they are so stupid that they don’t even realize they are campaigning for exactly what they are running away from. America will not be able to give them what they think they want if their candidates win, so that may be the best way to get rd of them.
Report Post »LSX
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:37amI wonder what would ICE do if this ILLEGAL was supporting a Republican?
Report Post »ChrisHennigan
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:36amHow is it that illegals can say what they want and do what they please and not get punished while natural citizens and legal immigrants try to protect the border and the Constitution can get told they can‘t or don’t know how anything works.
Figures when we have a self acclaimed demigod walking the halls of the White House
Report Post »zelly
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:36amAnyone else see the problem in her statement in the last line of the article?
Report Post »“In order for there to be a change to our broken immigration system,” she said, “I believe one has to fight.”
Um, since you’re not a citizen, it’s not your immigration system.
grandmaof5
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:49amTrue enough, and if she is looking for a fight, go back to Mexico and do something about your system of government. Rise up and take back your own country and leave ours alone if you can’t come in legally. The fact that you are not legal makes this NOT YOUR COUNTRY!
Report Post »Zoe
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:35amOur Forces Have not and are not risking their lives for this.
I guess it is time they do an about face, come back home & “Man Up” our country & Borders.
America Home of the Illegals ? Don‘t expect help if we don’t help ourselves!
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:33amI wish they would come to my house, just so I could report them.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:26amI hope there is an INS agent behind every door and on every corner waiting! My father came thru Ellis Island with his parents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. His father died shortly thereafter and his mother took in laundry to keep food on the table. Seattle, ask for identification and if they are not legal, kick them off your doorstep and vote conservative (yes, I know Seattle is a bit “left”). This blatant behavior has got to stop and we have got to get control of our borders before we have another 9/11 targeting buildings in multiple large cities.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:30amRight on! My grandparents also came through Ellis Island, but before they were allowed in they had to prove that they had a sponsor, not the government, who would guarantee their well being once they were allowed in. Each immigrant was responsible for his/her own welfare. Each was not greeted by a govt agent telling them how to apply for govt assistance nor did their children go to bilingual schools or have classes taught to them in their native language. The goal of the immigrants was to assimilate into American society and to chase the American dream. Unwittingly, we the people have allowed the govt to set up “multi-culturalism” in this country and, just like in Germany, it does not work. Personally, I think that this all begin when we stopped referring to ourselves as Americans and began to be x-American or y-American. It is further reinforced by the govt when it allows new immigrants to become dual citizens of their country of origin and of adoption. If an American couple has a child overseas, that child is a citizen of both countries until (s)he is 18 when they must choose between the two. If an American citizen must choose, an immigrant should be forced to choose as well. As the old saying goes, “what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.”
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:21amExcuse me? Immigrants rights? The only right they have is the right to apply LEGALLY for citizenship in this country. Until then they have no rights. Period. I am all for legal immigration but give me a break, already! Illegals are getting more rights than natural citizens these days.
Report Post »Star Spangled
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:26amI totally agree with that !
Report Post »grannyjojo
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:34amAmen is right! When you are an ILLEGAL alien you have NO American rights. You are here ILLEGALLY and the only thing you can expect is to be DEPORTED back to whatever country you came from. That is the LAW. I don’t care what anybody says, we are a nation of laws and if you think for one minute you can come into OUR country and flaunt OUR laws you are badly mistaken. You come to MY house and I’m slamming the door in your face and calling the police to pick you up. I’m sick of this. If I break the law I can expect to have repercussions and most likely either end up in jail or face a fine. Last time I checked this is STILL America and I don’t care what your excuse is….you want to live in this country, do it LEGALLY, instead of breaking a myriad of laws because you feel like you can
Report Post »GunnyB
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:42amNot only do the illegals think they have rights here, they even demand rights. They demand dual language on every printed item, they demand English as a Second Language be taught to their anchor babies and their anchor babies be granted automatic citizenship, they demand free medical at our hospitals, free welfare money because their anchor babies are citizens and therefore are entitled to it! They have no respect for our laws or our law enforcement officers lives either.
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:45amGRANNYJOJO for President!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »iupindiana
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 11:23amKnock on my door and I am calling the INS and let them not respond. I will then contact the news media and anyone else that might listen but I will try to expose the illegal aliens. My front door is private property and I don’t want someone knocking on my door unless they are a fiend or were personally invited.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 5:17pmWe are a nation of political correctness and whatever BS will get some wishy washy socialist scumbag into office. Time to stand up.
Report Post »felina g
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:17amWhat bothers me is WHO is coming over the borders and what are they carrying ?
Report Post »notsodumblond
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:28amWe just had another guardsman die from the gang wars on the border of Texas…I am still waiting for Obama to acknowledge that we have a problem or at least condemning the deaths of Americans by these gangs…But i guess our President is too busy running around the country bragging on himself and Democrats for some fantasy Utopia to notice or care. He should be impeached for not doing anything to protect Americans ….putting up warning signs is not protecting Americans…it is promoting more violence.
Report Post »moelarrycurly
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 12:44pmI live in Ohio. I have heard nothing on the news about this guardsman. I’m sure it happened-The media is attempting to insulate this area from news like that. Citizens need to mobilize on this very real threat to our sovereignty. I don’t know of anybody in my sphere of influence who is against immigration-or latinos. Just against illegal immigration.
Report Post »Bauervision
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:13am“Immigrants really do matter,” Jayapal said.
Correct, they do matter. However, there is an important distinction there that you need to be aware of—they abide by the law, also known as LEGAL immigrants. Unlike yourself and the others serving your cause.
Why isn’t the INS rounding these people up? Who is dropping the ball on that one? Hmmmm….I can only imagine.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:47amHer name is Napoletano, the former governor of my state.
She dropped the ball here deliberately just to get into the office of Homeland Security, and will continue to do so as she has neutered the INS from enforcing the immigration laws. The reason the Progressives and Democrats did not yet vote on the immigration reform is that would have set off such a revolt across the land they were not yet ready for the firestorm.
They will probably try in the lame duck session to cram amnesty down our throats though, or order the crossings open to anyone who wants to come regardless of who they are.
And blame the tea party and right for the new problems.
Report Post »lobster
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:50amUnder President Eisenhower a decree was sent out that all illegals had to leave the country. Shortly thereafter millions self-deported. So what’s wrong with that….
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:09am@Lobster – nothing in my book.
If they want to come do it legally. But Napoletano and Mr Obama will not do so, they will most likely deal a amnesty, front door or back.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 2:39pmEveryday I read blogs and news reports and I am still floored that EVERYONE in the country is not appalled by events in our country!!! Maybe we DO need to collapse and suffer to prove a point!!!
Report Post »WASHINGTONBORNE
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 4:43pmThe illegal‘s have been so emboldened by the soft deportation policies they no longer respect the law’s and are helping to get out the vote? Gee, maybe I should try this in Mezico…..
Report Post »KINGRUDDY
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:09amAnd she is getting out the vote for free? I think not, Soros is funding this as well.
Report Post »They are going to steal the votes all over the country this way!
neverending
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:54amI fear that you are so right!
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 1:07pmcome to my door, i’ll make sure to vote for the other guy.
and probably engage in some “hate crimes” also known as get the hell off of my property before i put a boot up your ass
truth4at
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:09amI live in a boarder state…I WANT immigrants to come over, but if you are going to complain that the system it broken…don’t be part of the breaking!!
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:43amI am in AZ, and we have a legal means for imigrants to come into the nation already.
It is the swarms of illegals crossing the border that need to be stopped in addition to the cartels who already have been ceeded part of my state for all intensive purposes.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)
Report Post »Oh, God!
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 8:58amI live in Texas and grew up in south Texas, 10 miles from the border. I have seen what some of these illegal aliens have done, from trashing the stores and clogging up our schools and hospitals. Most refuse to speak english and are not loyal to our country. Notice in the article, she had to have an interpreter, how long has she lived here? And not once did she consider learning english? This is my take, the government is playing with words now, to make it not sound like these people are committing a crime by coming over here illegally.
Legal immigrant = someone who decides to come to the US legally
Illegal alien = someone who comes over here by breaking the law.
They are not illegal immigrants, but illegal aliens.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 10:14amFor you posters in the border states, I feel for you. The hispanic population is a large influence on elections in areas where border security is a prime issue. When I look at polling for border states, it saddens me that every house district that is up for grabs in Nov is either a toss up or leans Dem. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/house/2010_elections_house_map.html
Report Post »The next House may consist of all Dems represinting Border districts.
untameable-kate
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 4:14pmOh God! I am a native Arizonan and agree with you completely. I have seen the difference in attutudes of both the illegals and the people who defend thier “right” to be here. This crap about how they only work in jobs that Americans won’t do really ticks me off. I have a house cleaning service and I lose business to ‘cheap for hire’ mexicans all the time. I know alot of people who started out when they were kids doing hotel maid work, dishwashing, landscaping, construction helpers etc etc etc. These are the jobs alot of us had when we were in highschool or college or just graduated. All this amnesty is crap. CLOSE THE BORDER
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 8:46amI have already called OBAMA out on this subject. I want these people arrested, prosecuted and if guilty, deported the same day. Do as you are told, OBAMA! You are walking on the sharp edge of TREASON and you will be charged with this crime if you do not do as you are TOLD!!! DO YOUR JOB AND ENFORCE THE LAW OF THE LAND!!!
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