You Don't Speak for Me

You Don't Speak for Me was a national, American organization active in 2006 and 2007 created by American Hispanics who supported enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.[1][2] Retired Army Colonel Al Rodriguez founded the group in 2006, to represent Hispanic Americans such as himself who are opposed to legalization for those who have entered the US illegally or overstayed their visas.[3][4]

The national organization was headed by Albert Rodriguez, the former mayor of Douglas, Arizona.[5] Rodriguez is a second generation America of Puerto Rican and Mexican ancestry.[6]

The group had chapters in several states.[7]

Clarence Page noted that "You Don't Speak For Me" stood shoulder to shoulder with "Choose Black America" in opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants.[8]

History

The group was created after Rodriguez viewed media coverage of the 2006 United States immigration reform protests. According to Rodriguez, "Their leaders were saying it was a march for immigrant rights and a Latino/Hispanic movement. I thought to myself, 'Hey, those are illegal aliens, not immigrants!' I'm of Hispanic ancestry and those people are acting like they speak for me. Well, you don't speak for me!"[9]

You Don't Speak for Me was launched with help from the Federation for American Immigration Reform, an organization that supports lower levels of immigration in the United States.[10][11]

Activity

The group supported petitions calling for enforcement of laws against illegal immigration and held and participated in anti-illegal immigration rallies. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

In 2007, group leaders participated in a rally for immigration reform outside of the White House.[20]

In 2007 the Arizona chapter backed a bill to penalize employers who knowingly hired workers not in the United States legally.[21]

References

  1. ^ Kenny, Karen Latchana (2010). Illegal Immigration. ABDO Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 9781617852596. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  2. ^ Brennan, Georgina (5 July 2006). "House, Senate Border Hearings Begin". Irish Voice.
  3. ^ You Don’t Speak for Me! Legal Mexican Immigrants Outraged Over Amnesty for Illegals, Standing Up Against Illegal Immigration[usurped]
  4. ^ Orchowski, Margaret Sands (2008). Immigration and the American Dream: Battling the Political Hype and Hysteria. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 123. ISBN 9780742558748.
  5. ^ Fischer, Howard (24 March 2007). "Employers, entrants targeted in 2 initiatives". Arizona Daily Star.
  6. ^ Uranga, Rachel (20 July 2006). "Survey: Latinos are more unified". Daily Democrat. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  7. ^ Cepeda, Esther (11 February 2007). "Chicago Latino trying to fight illegal immigration: 'There are a lot of Hispanics out there like me'". Chicago Sun - Times.
  8. ^ Page, Clarence (6 June 2016). "One man's 'amnesty' is another's 'disaster'". The Baltimore Sun.
  9. ^ You Don't Speak for Me
  10. ^ Robinson, Greg; Chang, Robert S. (2016). Minority Relations: Intergroup Conflict and Cooperation. University of Mississippi Press. ISBN 978-1496810465. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  11. ^ 2006 FAIR Annual Report
  12. ^ Kalita, S. Mitra (11 May 2006). "Dissonant Voices Inside the Border; Some Established Immigrants Want to Restrict Newcomers". The Washington Post.
  13. ^ Pangonis, Dustin (22 March 2009). "Hispanic-Americans set to speak at anti-illegal immigration rally". Republican Herald.
  14. ^ Coln, Vanessa (2 May 2007). "Demonstrators seek reform Crowds in Fresno and Visalia are smaller than last year, but hope for immigration change still strong". FresnoBee.
  15. ^ Feeney, Michael (29 July 2007). "Heated debate on hot button issue ; Illegal immigration rally draws both sides". Bergen County Record.
  16. ^ Packberg, Zach (19 October 2007). "Immigration rally gets approval after all". Asbury Park Press.
  17. ^ McGee, Patrick (22 October 2007). "Anti-immigration Hispanics speak out". McClatchy.
  18. ^ Llorente, Elizabeth (7 November 2007). "500 petition for police to crack down on illegals". The Record (Bergen County).
  19. ^ Pitzl, Mary (28 March 2007). "PETITIONS TARGET IMMIGRATION: GROUP SEEKS TOUGHER ARIZONA LAWS AGAINST ILLEGAL MIGRANTS". Arizona Republic.
  20. ^ Analysts: Tough political road for immigration reform North County Times – North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News
  21. ^ Fisher, Howard (23 March 2007). "Punishment for employers who hire illegals may go to voters". Arizona Sun. Retrieved 15 July 2019.