Backlash in US after immigration rallies

While a series of marches focused much of the nation’s attention on the plight of illegal immigrants, scores of other Americans quietly seethed.

Written by La_times, Washington_post

Washington | May 4, 2006 12:00 AM IST

3 min read

While a series of marches focused much of the nation’s attention on the plight of illegal immigrants, scores of other Americans quietly seethed. Now, with the same full-throated cry expressed by those in the country illegally, they are shouting back.

Congressional leaders in Washington have gotten bricks in the mail from a group that advocates building a border fence, states in the west and south have drawn up tough anti-immigrant laws, and ordinary citizens, such as Janis McDonald of Pennsylvania, who considers herself a liberal, are expressing their displeasure.

‘‘Send them back,’’ McDonald said. ‘‘Build a damn wall and be done with it.’’ The anger invoked a word that immigrant organisers who opposed Monday’s boycott feared: backlash. Americans were particularly disturbed by Monday’s boycott and civil action, attended in large part by people who entered the country illegally and are now demanding rights enjoyed by US-born citizens and immigrants who entered the country legally.

‘‘If they are so active, why aren’t they in Mexico City, why aren’t they forcing their leaders there to deal with the quality of life? If you don’t like it here, go home,’’ said McDonald.

In the Washington area, African American radio listeners kept bringing up the immigration issue as Leila McDowell, a guest host on the Joe Madison show, tried to discuss abuse of black and Latino workers at a North Carolina meat-processing plant. ‘‘I would say that the majority of comments were hostile, but it wasn’t an overwhelming majority,’’ she said. ‘‘There were those who said that they’re taking our jobs…that they shouldn’t be legal, that my forefathers were slaves, and these people haven’t paid their dues.’’

Congress is considering several immigration reform proposals. One would hand out temporary work permits to foreigners outside the country, allow illegal residents already here to pay a fine and work, possibly toward legal residency. Another would make it a felony to enter the country illegally and to offer assistance to anyone who does, and build a wall on the US-Mexico border. A third would force illegal immigrants here to go home before being allowed to work. Whether the anger expressed by some Americans will translate into votes in November is anybody’s guess.

Darryl Fears

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