Page 10 - Sanger Herald 3-28-19 E-edition

Lifestyles
SANGER HERALD • 2B • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019
Immigration highlights roundtable discussion
Sanger
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
U.S. Rep. T.J. Cox spent the early part of the day watching as Sanger veterans and local officials broke ground on what is expected to be a park and veterans memorial at the corner of Indianola and Jensen avenues.
Then a couple hours later on March 20, he sat in on an immigration roundtable discussion, featuring folks from all the way down in Bakersfield, to talk about one of the most divisive issues in partisan politics. Members of the panel all gathered in the back meeting room at the SAM Academy, where children learn science, music and hands-on robotics, on N Street in downtown Sanger.
“There’s one thing we allknowweneedtodo— immigration policy,” Cox said to start the meeting. “There’s so much more to do.”
On one wall of Jerry Valadez’s academy meeting room, intricate masks created by students looked upon the assemblage, most from immigrant advocacy groups. From the other, a replica 1940 mural by Diego Rivera, depicting the struggle of laborers in the age of mechanization, witnessed the proceedings.
Cox, a Democrat who represents California’s 21st Congressional District, said it was his job to take “your voice and your issues and turn them into policy.”
Those attending included Father Lupe Rios of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
U.S. Rep. TJ Cox talks with immigration advocacy groups about legislation last week.
“Deported.”
But Lopez, 67, grew up
in Sanger, graduating with 4.2 grade point average. “I got into all the Ivy League schools,” he said. “But I didn’t graduate from anything.”
The difficulty in getting college loans as a noncitizen contributed to his only getting close to a degree in psychology. He was, he said, 60 units shy. He said he’s too old to be DACA, but that his immigration status prevented his full participation in the American dream. “I worked for a long time,” he said. “But it was like driving with the brakes on. Fear kept me from going farther.”
Lopez eventually got a green card and an honorary doctorate.
Cox said the best way to help is through the ballot box. “We have to put pressure on the other side,” he said. “They know what they need to do.”
Gaby Encinas, coordinator of the Dream Success Center at Fresno State, said about 700 students at Fresno State qualify for DACA. “We’re running out of options,” she said. Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in September 2017 that DACA would be terminated. However, multiple lawsuits challenged the decision and recipients can continue to renew their protected status.
“A question I ask my colleagues is how can you not support it (HR 6),” Cox said. “DACA is being used as a bargaining chip for a border wall, and that’s not
going to happen.”
Arana also identified as
a Dreamer. “I always hear this conversation that ‘It’s not your fault. You didn’t choose to come here,’” she said. But she said her parents need a pathway to citizenship, too. “I’m glad there’s something,” she said, pausing. “That’s going to happen.”
Levine said loved ones of DACA recipients also need to be protected.
“There should be a path for everyone,” Cox said. He said the economic loss of deportation could balloon into the hundreds of millions for the country. The California Budget & Policy Center estimated the state’s DACA workers contribute between $6.5 billion and $10.3 billion annually. The loss in the 21st district would be $404.7 million annually, according to USC’s Dornsife Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration.
“We need a system to get them out of the shadows,” Cox said.
Reyes said illegal immigrants suffer for their status. He said he has worked in the fields for different crops, many times when he was too young and had to hide in the car when the boss came around. Likewise, he said workers fear taking a break because they might get fired do so at the cost of their health.
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
in Selma, Marichel Mejia and Vicente Reyes of the UFW Foundation, Willie Lopez of the SAM Academy board of directors, Karla Arana and Andy Levine of Faith in the Valley, Raul Garcia and Joseph Villela of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, Josefa Vega and Jeremy Barousse of Services Immigrant Rights & Education Network and others.
Cox immediately brought up what he called priority legislation, HR 6, a bill referred to as the Dream and Promise Act. The proposal combines a previous legalization bill for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, with a pathway some immigrants with Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, can use to apply for permanent legal
status.
While HR 6 has little
chance of making it through the Senate and getting Pres. Donald Trump’s signature, it does register immigration as a priority for Democrats as the 2020 election season gets into full swing. Cox also said the bill represents just part of the immigration issue. For instance, many within the immigrant community would like to open access to citizenship for those who have lived in the country illegally, in some cases, for decades.
Cox said the issue is one he can relate to. “My dad’s from China, mom from the Philippenes,” he said.
Mejia said there are about 7,500 DACA recipients in the 21st district. The Migration Policy Institute estimates there are about 700,000 DACA
recipients nationwide as of August 2018 and about 1.3 million eligible. The institute estimated 200,150 recipients in California, representing about half those eligible.
Reyes, 19, is a Dreamer. He said he realizes his stay in this country remains tenuous. “I have to explain to my little brother that it’s OK if I don’t come home,” he said. “He started crying.” Reyes came to this country as a 4-year-old while his two little brothers were born here.
“Really, the injustice or the inhumanity of putting a young man through that anguish,” Cox said, responding. “You’re as much of an American as my kids.”
Lopez said he came from an indigenous background. “WhenIwas3or4,Isaw my dad arrested,” he said.
Sanger News & Community Calendar
To get an item into the calendar, email details to nemethfeatures@gmail.com or call Mike or Sharon at 559-875-2511.
The 12th annual Plant Give & Take is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon April 6 in Reedley at the First United Methodist Church parking lot, 1461 11th St. across from the Post Office. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Community Volunteers Central Valley. The event is free to the public. All types of plants, seeds, bulbs and cuttings for the home garden will be exchanged. Give what you have and take plants. No experience necessary. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions. Details, 559-277-2151 or 559-908-1118.
In boxing news, Sanger Officer Victor Ibal, 30, said he’s been training the past two months for a Battle of the Badges competition on April 6. “I started getting serious,” he said while training at the youth center. “I’ve been an amateur boxer five to six years.” His wife, Anabel, brought their son Donovan, 6 months, to watch dad slam a long-handled sledge hammer over and over into a huge tire. The exercise, which went on for a substantial period of time, was just part of his workout. Ibal said he likes working out alongside the kids. He encouraged one the others called “Panda” as the boy slammed a medicine ball onto the ground repeatedly. “I come from the same
background,” Ibal said. “I came from Fresno. That’s why I train here, just grind. Hard. Just like him (referring to Panda). He’s doing the same thing.”
Mid Valley Disposal and the City of Sanger plan community clean-up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at the Sanger City Yard, 333 North Ave. The event is for residents only. Proof of residency is required by showing a driver’s license or city utility bill. Details, 559-567-0523.
AMVETS plans its fish fry from 5 to 8 p.m. March 29 and April 5 and 12 at the Eagles hall, 225 J St. Details, George 559-286-5667.
U.S. Rep. T.J. Cox has invited high school students in California’s 21st Congressional District to submit original works in his 2019 Congressional Art Competition by April 19. Categories include painting, drawing and print. The winner receives a $3,000 scholarship and two round- trip tickets to the national reception in Washington, D.C. Details for submission can be found at cox.house.gov.
An old building at the University of California Davis is scheduled to receive a major upgrade as a new laboratory thanks to Julie Ogawa and Jo Ann Ogawa, daughters of the late UC Davis professor and researcher Joseph Ogawa. Their dad grew up on a farm near Sanger and spent part of World War II in an internment camp before going into the U.S. Army in 1945. He got his doctorate in plant pathology and specialized diseases of tree fruit, nut crops and fresh market tomatoes. The donation by the Ogawas also honors their late mother, Margie Ogawa. An Ogawa fund also supports research of plant pathology students. From Outlook, a publication of the College of Agricultural
PASTOR’S CORNER
and Environmental Sciences.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church stages “The Passion of the Christ” at 5:30 p.m. April 17 at the corner of North and Bethel avenues. The event, which features live actors, starts at the church hall. Details, 559-875-2025.
A re-enactment of Jesus’ Last Supper will be performed at 6 p.m. April 18 at Sanger Faith Community Church, 738 West Ave. Details, 559-284-0095.
Proteus Inc. is now offering vocational training to all Sanger students. Training includes EMT, auto mechanic and forestry options as well as tutoring, career guidance and work experience. Details, Linda Galvan 559-891-0135.
The Sanger Eagles’ taco nights are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Breakfasts will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. The location is 225 J St. Details, Jim Batten 559- 875-6820 or Denny Noller 559-392-1936.
Sanger Chamber Business After Hours Mixer schedule. Events begin at 5:30 p.m. April 16 at Sanger Library, 1812 Seventh St.; May 21 at Mid Valley Disposal; June 18 Kings River Winery, 4276 S Greenwood Ave.; Aug. 20 Zataris, 1441 Seventh St.; Sept. 17 House of Pendragon, 1849 Industrial Way No. 103; Oct. 15 Belmont Country Club, 8253 E Belmont Ave.; Nov. 19 Bank of the Sierra, 1500 Seventh Ave.. Details, 559-875-4575.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Community Breakfast is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. April 6 at the American Legion Hall, 1502 O St. Cost is $6. Cub Scout Pack 322 and Boy Scout Pack 322 will assist. The VFW breakfast is usually the first Saturday of the month.
Thinking of kindness
Here are a couple of stories that highlight the idea of kindness. When you think of kindness, chances are that one of the first names that comes to mind is Mister Rogers.
A year or two before Fred Rogers’ death, someone in Philadelphia where he lived stole his car. The news media got ahold of the story, and before long local TV stations were broadcasting it. Thousands of Philadelphia citizens saw the story, including the
thief who stole the car. This criminal had dealt with his own share of difficult times, but he knew that when he was small that Fred Rogers had been a positive influence on him. Rogers’ kindness prompted him to do something that he had probably never done before. He returned the car. In a different situation, a man waiting in between flights at an airport went to a store and bought a small package of cookies. He then sat down in the waiting area to read his newspaper. Gradually, he became aware of a rustling
noise next to him. From behind his paper, he was shocked to see a neatly dressed woman helping herself to his cookies sitting in the next seat. Not wanting to cause
Pastor Sam Estes
time, the man was so angry he had a good mind to tell her off for digging in his things. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the woman broke the last cookie into two pieces, pushed half
assumptions can be very wrong.
Christ has called us to demonstrate kindness and love toward others in all situations. Jeremiah 9:23- 24 states, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.’”
If the Lord delights in
kindness, so should we. In any situation, remember to take hold of and possess the qualities of kindness and brotherly love that our Lord demonstrates. Just think what it would be like if everyone demonstrated the characteristic of kindness in our community?
Pastor Sam Estes is city advance director and facilitates the Sanger Community Task Force that meets the first and third Tuesdays every month. He can be reached at pastorsam@ communitiesinc.org.
problems or make a scene out of the situation, the man leaned over and took a cookie himself from the package.
A couple of minutes passed and then came more rustling. The woman was helping herself to another cookie. By this
across to the man, ate the other half, and left.
Still fuming when his flight was announced, the man opened his briefcase to get his ticket. And to his embarrassment, there he found his package of unopened cookies.
Sometimes our