Ann Arbor man among 4 arrested at McCain office sit-in
Four young immigration activists - including one from Ann Arbor - were arrested for trespass when they refused to leave U.S. Sen. John McCain's Tucson office after closing Monday, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
Initially, five activists - three undocumented and all dressed in graduation caps and gowns - launched a sit-in around lunchtime, while about 50 supporters chanted and cheered them outside, the Daily Star reported.
Those arrested were: 25-year-old Lizbeth Mateo, who came to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 14; Mohammad Abdollahi, a 24-year-old Ann Arbor resident who came from Iran; Yahaira Carrillo, who lives in Kansas City, Mo., after coming here from Mexico; and Raúl Alcaraz, 27, of Tucson, a legal permanent resident.
Abdollahi arrived in the United States at the age of 3 with his parents but remains an undocumented resident.
According to the Michigan Messenger, One Michigan has announced that it will host vigils in Detroit and Lansing today to continue calls for the passage of the DREAM Act and to support those arrested Monday evening.
The rally Monday was held to push for the passage of the DREAM Act, which supporters say would create a path to citizenship for an estimated 65,000 undocumented youth.
Comments
bedrog
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 4:45 p.m.
his sexuality does put him at risk if returned to iran and that may actually be his best card to play if he wants legalized asylum or other such kosher status... clearly, with legitimate border issues in the south ( arizonas arguably excessive response aside), al qaeda/taliban who knows where and even legal radical muslims posing threats he's sort of ill-advised to be so 'out there' at the moment. just an observation. ( although i can think of one local iranian-- a frequent poster here--who'd id love to see swapped for this guy ( i.e. she should go back, as from her obnoxious and bigoted public displays, which have gotten her and her husband arrested, she clearly is a far bigger fan of ahmadineajad and his ilk than of the U.s)
David Briegel
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 5:02 p.m.
Malorie, you are right! jcj, You just don't like my answer. Sorry. "little companies don't have clout". But the ruling class has lots of clout. Why do you think the status quo remains? Silly.
Mike
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 1:20 p.m.
I paid over $600 and spent many hours to become a citizen. If these undocumented/illegal aliens are allowed to stay they should pony up the money or the government should return my money. If these two solutions are unacceptable, they should return to their country of origin.
M.
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
jcj - By arguing against the law, it doesn't imply that you think they deserve a free pass. Most people opposing the law take issue with aspects of the law itself, not the fact that Arizona is trying to control its undocumented population. Where in the world is your logic on the whole "target the employers" idea? Who exactly would be complaining that nobody will illegally hire anyone, and why would targetting the employers give them the power to decide who is a criminal? The employers already get virtually a free pass to continue luring illegal immigrants with jobs. But that's okay to you because they're only trying to get rich by exploiting the people you despise. Heck, they don't even need to pay taxes for them!
jcj
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:20 p.m.
David More spin & rhetoric. Simple yes or no? Should the illegal immigrant get a complete free pass? OK throw the employer in jail I can live with that. But after they did that some would complain because now there would no jobs for the illegals! So the employer in CA that employs the illegals picking cabbage decides what offenses are criminal? Or maybe the lawn companies that employ the illegals are the all powerful ones that decide the laws. Hmm I never realized that these little companies had so much clout! Atticus You want reality? Spend some time in some of the border towns or talk to some of the residents from the border states. There are posters here that would have more trouble with a US citizen from Kentucky than an illegal from Iran. I say those are the ones that are prejudice!
David Briegel
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:13 p.m.
jcj, the employers get to decide. They are immune. Atticus, or you might say they only have one oar in the water! Malorie, Penalties aren't enough. Why should they not be jailed? Oh, I forgot, we can't put white folks in jail! Of course, they will still come to deliver drugs to your kids and grandkids. And to buy weapons from the NRA approved gun shows and dealers. The American way.
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 6:23 p.m.
Technically he is an illegal alien and not "from Ann Arbor." Naw, he's good people.
Atticus F.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 4:19 p.m.
jcj, it's an undeniable fact that most of these people come here looking for work, and looking for a better life...To say these people here are looking for a hand out, is based in ignorance and predjudice, and is no way grounded in reality.
jcj
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 4:10 p.m.
Anyone naive enough to believe the illegal immigration problem will go away if only we fined the people hiring them has one oar out of the water! I have no problem penalizing the employers. But don't think for a minute that suddenly there won't be anyone from Mexico that will want to go to California or any other state that gives free services to illegals. Atticus F. Agreed there are many things that are against the law that are not criminal. BUT the person breaking the law does not get to decide what category they fall into! If you don't like the law change it! Until then obey it.
David Briegel
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 4:02 p.m.
When the employer is in jail, there will be no job and the illegal will go home or have no reason to come here! I have never, ever advocated "freebies" for illegals. Most studies have shown they give more than they get!
Atticus F.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
Just because you get a speeding ticket, or jaywalk, doesn't mean you are a criminal. There are many things that are against the law that are not considered crimnal offenses.
M.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
David Briegel - Agreed, the focus should be on the employers of undocumented workers. Employers' financial incentive can be taken away by giving hefty fines for infractions, which then takes away any incentive for coming here illegally. It boggles my mind that this hasn't happened with everyone feeling so passionately about the issue.
jcj
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
David I for one have said on numerous occasions that we should apply the law to both side! But you have never once indicated you believe the illegals should get anything other than more freebees! Talk about the rain calling the river wet!
M.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:22 p.m.
bunnyabbot - I think you mean copyright, and Atticus' avatar photo is covered by Fair Use in the copyright law which I suggest you read up on. I didn't see Atticus say anywhere that he believes all criminals should get a break if the crime improves their life...he has only been talking about the immigration issue. Also, please don't claim that the majority of legal immigrants support the bill because you have no basis to claim this. One of those arrested in this protest is a *legal* immigrant. I really wish we would see more first-hand accounts and facts about WHY people can't just "get in line" for legal citizenship. I can't believe how simple everyone thinks it is to become a citizen or get a visa here. Nobody seems to notice the reports on what human smugglers charge or the people dying during their dangerous journey to get here. If it was easy to do it legally, I don't think we'd have hundreds of people dying each year during their attempt to get here.
David Briegel
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
Arizona should instruct it's police officers to follow suspected illegals to their place of employment and immediately arrest the criminal lawbreaker and the problem would end real soon. They come here to work! No work, end of problem. Too simple to comprehend.
David Briegel
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
Most don't care about the law or they would be demanding that both sides of the law be enforced. Yet not one person has suggested that the law against hiring illegals be enforced. Not One. Atticus, keep your photo posted!
jcj
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:19 p.m.
@Atticus F." "No human is 'illegal' as far as I'm concerned!" Being a human does not make you illegal but your action can be illegal! Do you have a problem with someone that might wander into the white house after hrs to look around? Should they be stopped at the gate just because they might whether or not they "look" like an illegal?
bunnyabbot
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
BTW atticus, I am pretty sure that Universal Studios owns the copywrite on your image pic you have up of Gregory Peck from the movie To Kill A Mockingbird. Or perhaps you don't care/agree with/support their right to do so.
bunnyabbot
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:47 p.m.
atticus, by that you are saying that anyone that commits a crime/breaks a law that it is ok, as long as someone had a better life?
Atticus F.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
BTW bunnybot, my oppinion might be in the minority, but so was the oppinion of people who wanted to abolish Jim Crow in the south. There are also Arizona police officers that are suing the state because they believe the law forces them to discriminate.
Atticus F.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.
If a child was brought here at the age of 3, should they be upset with their parents for trying to provide them with a better life?
anti-thug
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.
hysterical American you went the world to be "free" but cant let "legals",excuse my bad grammar,stay
bunnyabbot
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.
@atticus, if a child was brought here as an illegal at the age of three than maybe they should be upset with their parents for breaking the law and not the US gov't for it's law. It is a right of any government to deport anyone based on that governments immigration laws. additionally, it says if the police have a reasonable suspection. apparently your opinion is in the minority, it is however overwhelmingly supported by Arizonians and by legal immigrants.
bruceae
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
Well, now that Mohammad is out of school and apparently has time on his hands he will be glad to know that he can do his mandatory service in the Iranian Army once he gets back to the old country. He should have stuck to protesting in Ann Arbor where nothing would have happened. Arizona know how to deal with this sort of problem.
Atticus F.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:14 p.m.
bunnyabot, there are many aspects of this law that should be protested. One being it's not right to take some that was came here at age 3, and drop them off on a street corner in Mexico or Iran. Another, is the fact that law enforcement has the right to demand paper work/documentation if you LOOK illegal...What does illegal look like to you?
Dcam
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
Rule of Law, dual citizenship used to be not allowed, but most immigrants keep their own citizenship and merely tack on the US's. In fact, in the old days, one had to forsake allegiance to all other countries. But, not nowadays. We have important public officials with dual citizenship: Arnold Schwazenegger for one, and former Sec of State Madaline Albright was another. Who knows, maybe our own Governor Granholm is dual. About the only citizens of the world not allowed to claim dual citizenship are, not surprising, US Citizens by birth. As to the story, it's ironic that there are three Americans in prison in Iran for carelessly hiking across Iran's border. Why don't the protesters fly to Teheran to complain about closed borders?
bunnyabbot
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:57 a.m.
@atticus, a nation of immigrants isn't the issue. It's illegal immigration that is the issue, so these people are protesting what? the right to be illegal? to not live within the law? to have others be unlawful?
voiceofreason
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:32 a.m.
uawisok, Texas is an economic powerhouse because of energy resources and tax structure. If undocumented workers were the key to being an economic powerhouse, California would not be floundering like it currently is.
uawisok
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
"Immigration Reform" will never happen because Republicans and buisness folks like to hire and exploit un documented workers on the cheap and also threaten them with deportation if they complain....why do you think Texas is such a economic powerhouse?? It's status is due to undocumented workers!! Seen what I have described at work with the sub contracted cleaning crew, who's owner is a slime ball!!
voiceofreason
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:19 a.m.
Atticus, We are a nation of immigrants. However, this does not mean people can simply avoid the proper channels of gaining legal residency status. The ability to become an American is a privilege, as Mr. Abdollahi is currently learning. Had he taken the necessary steps and never developed an entitlement mentality, Mr. Abdollahi would be in a much better situation today.
Rasputin
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:19 a.m.
@ Atticus F., figures that "John of Saline" would take that stance giving his current location and Saline's reputation.
Me Next
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:11 a.m.
The US Unemployment numbers should be the deciding factor for Lawful process "worker visas". Unlawful foreign citizens & their posterity must follow the Immigration Process like all others. I suggested localities require their Sheriff's Office be present for collective payday. Employers that pay unlawful workers & invaders arrested at the same time. Legal workers get their pay & go on their way. Unlawful pay for their own deportation as a fine & receive what's left at the border. Employers financially supporting (hiring & paying unlawful entry people) face Security Violation charges, pay in fines to local & state Law enforcement & treated as violent criminals as they are committing white collar crimes that are destructive. There is a process to "work lawfully" here. No favoritism allowed. We are not making them criminals, they're actions are criminal. World Citizens can not have duel citizenship in America - that's suicide for any sovereign nation. Sympathizers are free to go to the foreign countries from which illegals come & help them negotiate with the governments that have legal Jurisdiction over them. That's Rule of Law.
bruceae
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.
So instead of just getting his paperwork taken care of he decides to push the issue by trespassing in a Senator's office? Good, you forced them to act and now you're going to be on the first plane back to Iran.
tracyann
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 10:57 a.m.
Since they've been arrested and are "undocumented" will they now be deported?
Atticus F.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 10:34 a.m.
John of Saline, We are a nation of immigrants. Thats what makes us different from other nations.
John of Saline
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 10:20 a.m.
Atticus, try immigrating to most other nations without a permit and see how that goes.
Atticus F.
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
The term 'illegal' is used to turn people who come here to work and provide for their families into criminals. As if being undocumented is a criminal act akin to assaulting someone or vandalizing someones property. No human is 'illegal' as far as I'm concerned!
Smiley
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
Undocumented or illegal, which to use? I suppose they are both accurate and can co-exist, so it's simply an indicator of the author's position on the matter.