Ward wrote on Apr 16, 2008 9:59 PM:Until Mexico cleans up the corruption, it will always be a poor country. Good luck to the Oaxacans who are trying to make a change in their home country.

citizens of mexico wrote on Apr 16, 2008 10:23 PM:Its time for a revolution! The government of Mexico is criminal in its neglect of its citizen. We need to demand that our government create jobs, provide education and health care for the poorest Mexicans, just like in the U.S.
It is time to take Mexico back from the corrupt politicians who drive our people out of our country to work far from their homes.
Save Mexico!

Kali wrote on Apr 16, 2008 10:40 PM:I hope these ladies can start to make a change for the mexicans, the immigrants should be with their families in their own country.
If the mexican government would start caring about their people instead of themselves and their greed that country would be far better off.

All4it wrote on Apr 16, 2008 10:41 PM:Yeah!!! The 51st State of America!!!!Ole!!!

No Work wrote on Apr 16, 2008 11:22 PM:Now is not the time to take root. Keeping migrating to where the jobs are.

Jon: wrote on Apr 16, 2008 11:28 PM: You would think that no American has ever done that work before. They are trying to play on the minds and hearts of US citizens that have never had to do hard labor. My father worked for nearly fifty years in the coal mines while working his own farm. Go through out the USA and you will find many people today that are doing hard labor and a lot of them enjoy it. If things are so bad for them they should go back home where it is better. Perhaps the lady could round them up and get them back to their country where they don't have to work so hard. As a matter of fact she could get the INS to assist her in that effort.

Sic&Tired wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:34 AM:Bless these women for trying to do for their fellow citizens what their country (and ours) has not! If there is any information on how we can help this specific group, please let us know. By helping our neighbors in Mexico eliminate corruption and create a viable economy we also address our own illegal immigration issues. What these women are doing makes more sense than anything I've heard from any hot-winded politians and hot-headed minute men.

b wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:46 AM:GREAT IDEA!!! I'd like to see many more people like Centelia Maldonado step up to improve conditions in Mexico.

Local wrote on Apr 17, 2008 3:51 AM:God bless the down economy! Finally some straight talk and an effort that we can agree on. I remember when compassionate US citizens would go to Mexico to help and not bring them all up here. Long live accountability!

What wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:47 AM:This is an opportunity for the pro-illegal immigrant people to go down to Oaxaca and with their American born education see what they can do to help these people. This is not meant to be an insult to the pro-illegal Americans but it is intended to be a wake up call. These people need help from their government and like the article said they are mostly uneducated. Use this as a starting point for something greater.

dave from oceanside wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:13 AM:Based on Centelia's description of life after working in the local farming industry it suggests the farms are able to skirt occupational health standards.
I am glad to see the local people in Oaxacan are starting to stand up to the apparent corrupt government officials in Mexico.
If the church and local rights organizations want to help, here is their golden opportunity to help them in their own country.
They need a prosperous life in their own country, where their families reside.

WHY? wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:41 AM:don't they take them back with them to Mexico. They are probably here ILLEGALLY? HELLLLO?????

LisaP wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:49 AM:Viva Mexico!!

greeneyes wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:08 AM:That's right Mexico, take advantage of your natural resouces and let the citizens work the land. It seems the drug cartels have taken over everything for quick and lazy money.

Illegals Go Home! wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:39 AM:Dear "Migrant", I'm sorry your country sucks, but that gives you no right to invade the sovereignty of the United States. The H2B Visa program would allow you to be a guest worker in our country and the employer would pay for your shelter so you don't have to destroy our canyons. Many Americans are now suffering from America's econimic crisis and its going to get worse. Go home, be with your families, and tell your fellow Oaxacans that the teachers were wrong and America was not "stolen" from Mexico, therefore you do not have the "right" to illegally enter our country for work, crime, or what ever you end up doing here. Let's get America's immigration sytem under control before it destroys both America and Mexico!

Michelle wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:48 AM:I appreciate their efforts to make Mexico better and to encourage their people to stay home!

And lets call a spade a spade!! These men are not farmworkers or migrant workers . They are standing on our corners in PQ all day or wandering our neighborhoods. Where do you think they urinate and sleep? Right there across from our homes.

They broke the law to come here and they continue to break the law daily by sleeping wherever, urinating wherever and destroying our canyons etc. People don't like going near the shopping center where these men loiter all day.

What do you think these men do when they can't find work?

Angel wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:49 AM:Migrant camps- those are illegal!!


Where are they?

We can help too! wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:56 AM:The United States can help themselves by helping Mexico. The easiest AND best solution to our current immigration "crisis" is to assist Mexico in rising above 3rd world status. We're spending BILLIONS of dollars rebuilding infrastructure in Iraq while neglecting our neighbors to the South.

Concerned-1 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:00 AM:Do I detect a voice of reason in this article? I will support this effort in any way I can. The U.S Government needs to stop supporting corrupt Mexican politicians. Just think of the great possibilities if Mexico were to get its act together. Good job Edward (never thought I'd be saying that)!

Finally wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:07 AM:An activists that gets it. Find jobs at home so they don't have to illegally cross the border. She needs to try and ralley about a million or so and march on the capitol of Mexico. They have beautiful coast line and oil that seems to onnly benefit a very few. They need to unit and demand an end to corruption. Ever wonder why they have strict gun control laws? Definately a place where it works unfortunately most of the time for the wrong side.....those in control.

JK wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:38 AM:It’s encouraging see the people of Mexico trying to improve their own countries economic situation and bring their people home. As it states in the story, this type of movement has been going on for years but put down by the elitist Mexican government. Maybe the economic and social upheaval in the US and returning immigrants will give it enough momentum that even the Mexican government must take action. It’s time for the US government to add a full measure of pressure so Mexico will finally take care of its own citizens.

Message Received? wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:04 AM:Could it be that the illegal alien activists are finally starting to smell the coffee? Americans are no longer willing to tolerate mass illegal immigration. Time to get back home while the gettin's good! Previously law-breaking employers are getting the message that hiring cheap illegal alien labor is destroying the American Middle Class. Farmers and contractors need to pay a fair wage to LEGAL residents. This immigration anarchy has been going on way too long. If you need someone to help around the house, go to the HirePatriots website! Hire a Marine; they appreciate the work and extra income and you will feel good about it!

dave from oceanside wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:25 AM:What the??
I finally read an article from Edward that I support?
This must be an alternate universe, or I drank too much coffee this morning! :-/

SM G-ma wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:50 AM:Do we have to have a story ON THE FRONT PAGE every day about Mexicans???

This is change I can agree with. wrote on Apr 17, 2008 11:20 AM:I think this is a great notion. I have been an opponant to Jose Gonzales for quite some time. But he is catching on. I support him in this new effort and wish him the best outcome. The only way to help Mexican's and keep them from coming to the US illegally, is to help them create their own economics in Mexico. I agree that NAFTA is a huge barrier for the Mexican, people. That is one thing we can surely agree on. I would like Jose to know that their are Oxacan women living in the PQ area canyons. I am in fear that they will be used for the sex trade. Jose please check into that and protect those women fron abuse. Good luck in your endevor.

To: Ed Sifuentes wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:14 PM:A question asked by SM G-ma. "Do we have to have a story ont the front page every day about Mexicans???" I just don't want you to miss the opportunity of having a story about Mexicans on the front page of your newspaper on April 25, 2008 Petco Park and the Padres have Mexico Day. Please be sure to get this on the front cover I love stories about those "Mexicans".

to SM G-ma wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:19 PM:YES we HAVE to have a story on the front page every day. They ARE invading our country from Mexico and also that is ALL Edwardo Sifuentes knows how to write about!

Gotta go wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:25 PM:Maybe these ladies can show up to the May 1st 'pro-illegals disrespecting America' demonstrations and pass out fliers and free bus tickets back to Oaxaca.

Mr. Originality wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:34 PM:Tina Jillings and Enrique Morones, are you listening?????

See? You two could be truly "advocating" for the Mexican people if you choose to.

alfredo wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:15 PM:I really applaud the courageous wwemen from Oxaca state trying to do something for their people.
However, the way this country is going there won't be much to come here for after a while. Especially if McNasty is elected in Nov. We'll beat at war forever. The oil will be $300/bl and the $ on par with the peso.

To SM G-ma wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:28 PM:Yes, there is a story on the front page every day in the NCT because they are a liberal, left leaning news paper. The political issues in this country are the war, ILLEGAL immigration and the economy. So, what do you expect a left-leaning news organization to report on??? And of course, the NCT can spin it to their own agendas. Then again, my posts are NOT usually posted by the "CENSORS" at the NCT so you may not read this anyway.

To SM G-ma wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:41 PM:This story on the front page is a welcome one. I applaud what these people are trying to do. The USA needs to put pressure on the Mexican government to take care of it's own. Mexico has the natural resources to become a wealthy nation for all it's citizens not just the few.

to SM G-ma wrote on Apr 17, 2008 2:15 PM:Move to northern Washington. You will be reading about Canadians on the front page everyday. I'll help you pack.

Concerned-1 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 2:37 PM:Posted at 8:30 a.m.: Do I detect a voice of reason in this article? I will support this effort in any way I can. The U.S Government needs to stop supporting corrupt Mexican politicians. Just think of the great possibilities if Mexico were to get its act together. Good job Edward (never thought I'd be saying that)!

Roberto1 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 4:45 PM:The voice of reason has always been here...its just the xenophobes lack of comprehension.

Now that's what I'm wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:53 PM:talking about. I and many, many, many others have been saying this for years. Only to be called racists and xenophobes by pro illegal idiots. The Catholic Church used to go TO Mexico and build churches, schools and roads, EVERYONE I knew gladly contributed. NOW, the Catholic Church has it's own slave labor sites. Mexico's greedy corruption has spilled over into churches, businesses and pro illegal advocacy groups that do NOTHING to uplift the poor, ignorant Mexican, but ONLY serve to line THEIR pockets. Janet Murguia, Claudia Smith, Enrique and Bill should take a WHOLE chapter from Gonzalez', Ramirez' and Maldonado's playbook!!! God Bless these people who ARE doing the right thing for BOTH neighbors.

To Roberto wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:09 PM:Promoting criminal activity and violation of our borders is NOT the "voice of reason", it is the voice of anarchy!
Respect America, our people and our laws or get out! The real racists are the radical Mexican activists and socialists!

Real Reason wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:10 PM:The Frente Indigena Binacional Oaxaqueno appears to have started in Fresno California in the late 1980s. After wanting equal rights and citizenship here in the US, they want socialist 'reforms' in Oaxaca. Unfortunately, Oaxacan workers in the US, rather than return home to fight for the socialist reforms, lose interest in socialism. Instead, their only interest in Oaxaca is as a cheap place to retire. The Frente wants the right thing, Oaxacans to stay in Oaxaca, but for the wrong reasons. The effort will fail. Even migrant Oaxacans can see there is no future in 'starting small companies that produce Oaxacan crafts, textiles and traditional food for export to the U.S.'

PETE wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:42 PM:We have enough of our own problems to solve now we have other countries' problems being imported here. Mexico stands out but don't forget about China and the Muslims as well.

To Pete wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:45 PM:The Mexican authorities are doing a far better job of keeping illegal immigrants out of the U.S. than we are. Our Border Patrol is a joke. It may as well shut itself down.

Roberto1 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:52 PM:here the phobies go again.." reply to:
1) no one in favour of drug smuggling
2) no one is in favour of terrorism
3) no one is in favour of gang bangers drug users etc.

No pepole sneaking around working?...we need to figure out how to make lazy people work also...its in our own best interest in my opinion to have everyone working no matter what. And Yes, there are many racist and xenophobe enbedded in your ilk

PETE wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:06 PM:We have dedicated men and women on our Border Patrol but they're hands are tied thanks to Jorge Bushy for railroading Ramos and Compean. Mexico does a great job on their souther border in part from the 2.5 billion we just gave them but they do absolutely nothing on our border.

nancy wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:27 PM:The illegals and the open-borders advocates ALL need to work together in the countries of origin to
improve the lives of those they say they care about.
Instead of the Moron speaking in U. S. universities, he needs to head south, roll up his sleeves and get to work. Moron should help the Mexicans and dear Claudia should head a little further south to Guatelmala. I wonder if the Mexican or Guatemalan gov'ts would fund them as our gov't does here? These guys are freeloaders and ingrates.

Realist wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:26 PM:I say we just get rid of the border. It's over rated and honestly does more harm than good. We are heading for more global integration anyway. At least that is what American foriegn policy is about. Free trade, MNC, WTB, the goal is global. Might as well start tearing down (not building up) those borders. Let people migrate like the products do. :)

Joaquin wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:10 AM:I wonder how the migrants feel about their brethen having to pay Fox News $40,000 in attorney fees after Fox won an anti-SLAPP motion against their frivolous law suit?

Roberto1 wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:09 AM:Realist, I agree with you to a certain extent. We need people working in order to fuel our economy. We need pacts with our neighbours to stop terrorism, drug smugling etc....I live in China currently and the place I live in had people starving to death 20 years ago. China now produces enough food for export... A free market economy that lets people work. If it moves, tax them, if it receives free benefits, get rid of the freebies. All the uneducated arm chair politician need a wake up call.

To we can help too wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:11 AM:The fact is that we send billions of dollars in aid to Mexico yearly. As for those who would like no border, I suggest they read the latest travel warning from our Government about traveling to Mexico warning US citizens about being murdered, held for ranson etc. Down right scary. Poverty breeds crime and always has.

Here's a Thought wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:27 AM:Has anyone ever sat down and wondered why our country sends billions of our tax dollars to Mexico and other Central American countries for aide, yet forces the US citizens (who have already paid these countries once)to pay for the effect of the illegal immigration here at home on US soil? Perhaps a better idea would be for the citizens of the U.S. to offset any financial aide sent to these countries by the increased taxes we pay to educate and medicare the illegals that enter here. It's a simple accounting method actually. If there's any money left over after we have paid for the free US services given to the illegal immigrants, we'll send the balance to Mexico and its neighbors. OK?

To NCTimes Editor wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:57 AM:I see that the only name calling you allow in this comment section are against people that post anti-illegal comments. As a test I have posted comments with desparaging remarks that are dutifully blocked by your moderators as they should be, yet you allow Roberto1's comments to broadly paint those with opposing points of view as racist and xenophobes, his are the almost always the first and sometimes the only name calling posts in this forum. I don't care to see any desparaging personal remaks anytime, but if there are, you should do your duty as moderators of a forum for this diverse community of readers and block name calling from both sides of the argument, not just the one you so obviously support.

Re-read the comments... wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:18 AM:To NCTimes Editor wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:57 AM: If you really believe that than I have a bridge to sell!!!! The comments on this blog are onesided for sure but they are biased to the anti-immigration/Latino crowd. I agree some of these posts are not helpful or kind.

Reardon wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:02 AM:
The efforts to cause self-deportation through work-place ID checks are the best thing that can happen to Mexico. It will eventually cause many to return to their homes with a knowledge of how a first-world society looks and feels, and the returnees will take back with them children with some knowledge of English as a language and some amount of education -- far better than they would have received in their own country of origin. These returnees will not easily be satisfied with an outhouse, a village well, occasional electricity (or none at all), burros for transportation, a village telephone, etc. and they will demand more for their children.

Their children will immediately suffer culture shock if they live in a remote village, as most do, and demand more.

Demanding more is what drives economies.

borderwatcher wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:30 AM:why didn't you print my comments about withholding hateful comments on your blog. you print scurrilous attacks on people, yet screen out those advocating restraint? shame on you. you haven't changed at all with your new publisher.

ALBERTO wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:28 PM:AS LONG AS THERES FREE BEES AND HANDOUTS.NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

finally wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:56 PM:something positive about this whole issue! both my parents were out there enduring this kind of labor just so that we could get ahead in this country. they eventually got legal residency and now have 100% better jobs than they did back then. not all these "illegals" come here to "destroy" this country. people need to stop being so close-minded and negative towards these hard workers. just because youre a citizen doesnt mean youre not(and dont) commit the same kinds of crimes.

more power to those who are trying to make a difference that helps EVERYONE.

Richard wrote on Apr 18, 2008 3:59 PM: Rural Oaxaca really is quite a desperate place. Cronyism in particularly prevalent throughout the education system. I teach at the Universidad del Papaloapan, where the extreme lack of professionalism, administrative inexperience, and selfishness results in a dysfunctional system where the policies and plans are in constant flux and, in the end, an education not worth valuing.
The primary education system is even worse. In a nearby community, middle-school students haven't had classes for the better part of a year because of a teacher walk-out (though because of a union contract, the government still pays them).
The short of it is, at least for the northeastern region of Oaxaca, is that the government – state or federal – isn't to blame. It's the lack of responsibility and sense of duty on part of a great many teachers and administrators that is to blame. And in many respects, this attitude is really part of the culture here (it really sounds unbelievable, but really, it is.)
So to those Oaxequenos who've left for a better life – good for you. And for those migrants that run into hard labor, if there is something unfair in the air, they can turn to legal groups such as CRLA or community outreach groups like Frente, mentioned in the article.
Also, the journalist miswrote when saying that they speak little Spanish here. Sure, there are many many indigenous tongues here, but I haven't met a single person who doesn't speak Spanish.

Adelita wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:53 PM:I applaud and support the work that these women & FIOB (Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales) are doing, both here in California and in Mexico. They are currently touring Northern Californian universities and communities where the immigrants mainly reside. They are not pro-illegal immigration, which most people believe. On the other hand they are trying to change people in Mexico's way of thinking- coming to the US, whether illegally or legally, will not guarantee the "American Dream" that us US citizens have created. It is so easy for people to point fingers at illegal immigrants & Mexicans in general, while they're sitting at home stuffing their face with American food & living the "American Dream". If they really have a problem with Mexicans coming to the the US then why do they they still hire them to mow their lawn, wash their car, paint their house, or be live in nannies? Why? If there really is a problem, if they are really corrupting your community & supposedly scaring white conservatives....then stop hiring them!!!! As simple as that, trust me with that they will move somewhere else away from your million dollar homes (which you maintain by hiring cheap labor) & go back to their family in Mexico. Think about it, if you put yourself in their shoes, if you came illegally to the US to try to better your life and you did not succeed, you would go back. But if you notice that you can average out bringing in more money in a week than you would in a month back in your "pueblo", then you would do the same thing, stay in the US, regardless of your living situation, help your family. The situation will not get solved if cheap Americans keep on employing immigrants. If one really thinks about it, immigrants are better than homeless people roaming the streets and begging you for money. At least Mexican immigrants are willing to do the hard back breaking work that you don't want to do yourself. The Frente & Centolia are not promoting "criminal activity & violation", as some of you think, nor are Mexican activists "racist. Do your research before you put your foot in your mouth & take another look at US history, Mexico was taken away by the US due to greed and what not. Mexicans are always made less, why I don't know. It's always ironic how racist Americans are when who do you think is washing your Range Rover or cooking your bean & cheese burritos (which all of you swear that it's authentic Mexican food....sorry but it's not)??? It sure isn't a white teenager now is it?

Local wrote on Apr 19, 2008 3:53 AM:I represent those you need to worry about. I am middle-aged, do my own household chores and have NEVER in 20 years in North County, hired an illegal to do anything, anything at all. You get what you pay for. The buck starts and stops here. I am able-bodied and trace my American ancestry back to the early 1600's. Yes I can.

ALBERTO wrote on Apr 19, 2008 8:46 AM:boo who

Reardon wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:26 AM:Adelita: The workers are the benefit part of the equation – we need them and they need us as they send $26 billion a year back to their home of record.

It is their accompanying families that use the educational system, the medical systems, join violent gangs -- it is the families that vastly increase the social costs and those costs are the negative part of the cost/benefit analysis.

We need a system that gives us the workers without their familoies, and gets them home as needed. Every day, our military go overseas for many months, or years, work with out their accompanying families.

To Adelita wrote on Apr 20, 2008 2:44 PM:The vast majority of Americans who ARE footing the bill for illegal aliens do NOT hire them. It's the big businesses who do and pay slave wages and NO taxes on their illegal employees, who are then left to rip off US social services in order to supplement their "wages." How else could they afford to send billions home each year? Look at statistics! In the cost/benefit analysis the American TAXPAYER gets the VERY short end of the stick. Fine ALL employers of illegals for ALL back taxes, ALL social services received by them and their families, ALL incarceration and deportation charges. Send their homelands bills for the same, as well as the cost for environmental cleanup at the border and half the cost of the fence. It's about time the US was repaid for the thievery of other country's illegals.