Anti-illegal immigrants group, Brazilians seek peace

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Anti-illegal immigrants group, Brazilians seek peace Friday, December 5, 2003

Peter Reuell ( 508-626-4428 ) Metrowest Daily News

FRAMINGHAM -- Weeks after sparking controversy, a new organization lobbying against illegal immigration forged a tentative alliance with a Brazilian cultural group last night.
Members of CCFIILE (Concerned Citizens of Illegal Immigration Law Enforcement), as part of their second meeting, held at the Civic League, invited members of Bramas, a Framingham-based Brazilian organization.
Following a brief discussion, the two sides last night tentatively agreed to work with each other to combat illegal immigration, and may even send representatives to each other's meetings.
The agreement must still be discussed with Bramas members, explained Joao Olivera, who attended last night's meeting, but a decision could be made in the next few weeks.
Olivera last night refused to comment on the meeting.
CCFILE last month drew sharp criticism of many minorities who denounced the group's agenda as anti-immigrant, or even racist.
To head off further controversy, co-founder Joe Rizoli last night emphasized his opposition to illegal, not legal, immigration.
"We have no problem with people coming to this country legally," he told the nearly 30 people at the meeting. "We want to see the fulfillment of existing laws. That's the simple thing we can do to make American citizens happy."
What's truly frustrating, however, is the seeming lack of interest.
"I don't think it matters anymore. People don't care," he said.
If people don't care, Robert Casimiro said, they'd better start.
A member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform, Casimiro insisted both legal and illegal immigration increase housing costs, drag down wages and deplete natural resources like water.
At current levels, he said, about 2 million people enter the United States each year. Just over 1 million come legally, while 300,000-plus are illegals. The remaining 600,000 are offspring of both legal and illegal immigrants.
At that pace, Casimiro said, the nation's population will balloon from 288 million today to 424 million by 2050.
"There is not one problem we have that can be made better by adding more people," he said.
For many who attended last night, Carlton Buck summed it up.
"To me, this is all about respect," he said. "I don't care what nationality they are, what race they are. It's all about respect.
"Is it fair you (might) have a business in town for 20 years, and all of the sudden you're competing with somebody who's hiring illegal aliens, and isn't paying the proper taxes? We should respect everybody, and they should respect us, and they should respect our laws."

Anti-illegal immigrants group, Brazilians seek peace	Friday, December 5, 2003
Peter Reuell ( 508-626-4428 )	Metrowest Daily News
FRAMINGHAM -- Weeks after sparking controversy, a new organization lobbying against illegal immigration forged a tentative alliance with a Brazilian cultural group last night. Members of CCFIILE (Concerned Citizens of Illegal Immigration Law Enforcement), as part of their second meeting, held at the Civic League, invited members of Bramas, a Framingham-based Brazilian organization. Following a brief discussion, the two sides last night tentatively agreed to work with each other to combat illegal immigration, and may even send representatives to each other's meetings. The agreement must still be discussed with Bramas members, explained Joao Olivera, who attended last night's meeting, but a decision could be made in the next few weeks. Olivera last night refused to comment on the meeting. CCFILE last month drew sharp criticism of many minorities who denounced the group's agenda as anti-immigrant, or even racist. To head off further controversy, co-founder Joe Rizoli last night emphasized his opposition to illegal, not legal, immigration. "We have no problem with people coming to this country legally," he told the nearly 30 people at the meeting. "We want to see the fulfillment of existing laws. That's the simple thing we can do to make American citizens happy." What's truly frustrating, however, is the seeming lack of interest. "I don't think it matters anymore. People don't care," he said. If people don't care, Robert Casimiro said, they'd better start. A member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform, Casimiro insisted both legal and illegal immigration increase housing costs, drag down wages and deplete natural resources like water. At current levels, he said, about 2 million people enter the United States each year. Just over 1 million come legally, while 300,000-plus are illegals. The remaining 600,000 are offspring of both legal and illegal immigrants. At that pace, Casimiro said, the nation's population will balloon from 288 million today to 424 million by 2050. "There is not one problem we have that can be made better by adding more people," he said. For many who attended last night, Carlton Buck summed it up. "To me, this is all about respect," he said. "I don't care what nationality they are, what race they are. It's all about respect. "Is it fair you (might) have a business in town for 20 years, and all of the sudden you're competing with somebody who's hiring illegal aliens, and isn't paying the proper taxes? We should respect everybody, and they should respect us, and they should respect our laws."

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