ro-h2o
07-06-2009, 07:41 PM
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow
An immigration reform activist is encouraged that a growing number of illegal immigrants are finding the economic situation in the U.S. so tough that they are now calling home for money.
In recent months, money-transfer agencies have been noticing a decline in the wages illegal aliens are sending back to their home countries. In fact, it appears some of them are doing just the opposite -- asking their relatives to wire them money back.
As the U.S. economy continues to falter, illegal immigrants are discovering that work is scarce, but the cost of living in America is staying the same -- a situation that is forcing many to tap into money they previously sent home to build their savings. For example, day laborer Leo Chamale told The Associated Press he recently had to ask his family in Guatemala to send him money in New Jersey. At the time, he had not worked in five months. Chamale says he is now hoping to earn enough for a plane ticket home.
Susan Tully, national field director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), hopes more and more illegal aliens will voluntarily return home to ease the job strain on American workers.
"It's obvious everybody's hurting from this economy," states Tully. "And frankly, I'm not sure why they're just not going back home since they seem to have money at home but not here. That would make logical sense for them to leave the country now [and] free up the jobs for the American worker."
The FAIR spokeswoman believes it is time that things were reversed. "...I think you'll start seeing people come up with express bus trips down to the border, and ways of making money to get these people transported home," she suggests.
Tully says it is unfortunate that the Obama administration has pledged to give millions of illegal immigrants amnesty as an incentive not go home.
An immigration reform activist is encouraged that a growing number of illegal immigrants are finding the economic situation in the U.S. so tough that they are now calling home for money.
In recent months, money-transfer agencies have been noticing a decline in the wages illegal aliens are sending back to their home countries. In fact, it appears some of them are doing just the opposite -- asking their relatives to wire them money back.
As the U.S. economy continues to falter, illegal immigrants are discovering that work is scarce, but the cost of living in America is staying the same -- a situation that is forcing many to tap into money they previously sent home to build their savings. For example, day laborer Leo Chamale told The Associated Press he recently had to ask his family in Guatemala to send him money in New Jersey. At the time, he had not worked in five months. Chamale says he is now hoping to earn enough for a plane ticket home.
Susan Tully, national field director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), hopes more and more illegal aliens will voluntarily return home to ease the job strain on American workers.
"It's obvious everybody's hurting from this economy," states Tully. "And frankly, I'm not sure why they're just not going back home since they seem to have money at home but not here. That would make logical sense for them to leave the country now [and] free up the jobs for the American worker."
The FAIR spokeswoman believes it is time that things were reversed. "...I think you'll start seeing people come up with express bus trips down to the border, and ways of making money to get these people transported home," she suggests.
Tully says it is unfortunate that the Obama administration has pledged to give millions of illegal immigrants amnesty as an incentive not go home.