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Illegal immigrants fleeing?: Rumors suggest the sour economy and public opinion are forcing illegal immigrants to leave the area(Free Lance-Star, The (Fredericksburg, VA) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jul. 21--Rumors are circulating throughout Hispanic neighborhoods that illegal immigrants are leaving the Fredericksburg area in droves. The slowdown in construction, as well as efforts to deny services to those who are in the country illegally, might be forcing Hispanics to move elsewhere or to return to their home countries, according to those who work with Spanish speakers. "As long as they can work, they'll put up with the anti-immigrant sentiment," said Sue Smith, who directs a Fredericksburg ministry for Hispanics. "But if they can't even find a job, they're wondering, 'Do I want to stay in an area that doesn't want me anyway?'" Gladys Brackett, who has helped Hispanic immigrants in the area for eight years, knows of several families who have left. Some lost their homes; others were evicted when they didn't pay rent. Not only have jobs gotten scarcer as the economy soured, but employers also are checking papers more carefully, Brackett said. "Nobody wants to get in trouble, and the best way to stop that is to make sure they are not hiring illegals," she said. For the last two years, governments throughout the region have discussed ways to cope with the financial strain of illegal immigrants. Localities have discovered they can't take away federal benefits, such as food stamps or public education, but they can fine employers who hire illegal immigrants. Even though Smith and Brackett know some families who've gone to other states or back to Mexico, they say they've heard about more people leaving than they've actually seen. Others who work with Hispanics say they've heard the same rumors, but can't identify a single person who has left. It's difficult to verify a change because even those who work with Hispanics aren't sure how many immigrants are in the area -- or what percentage is here illegally. The most recent U.S. Census estimates suggest there are about 23,000 Hispanics in the Fredericksburg region, about 5 percent of the local population. But anecdotal information can produce some mixed results. Consider these two groups: Olde Forge Junction in Stafford County and the ESOL Intake Center for schools in Spotsylvania County. Hispanics make up about a third of the population of the Olde Forge community in Falmouth and represent the majority of students tested for English proficiency at the Spotsylvania center. "All of our Hispanic kids who were here during the school year are still with us -- and more," said Theresie Houghton, director of program at the Olde Forge Junction. "I don't see a change." But Luisa Menares, a full-time Spanish interpreter for Spotsylvania schools, has seen a noticeable slowdown. One day last week, she registered six children in three days and had no other clients scheduled. "When we opened the center [in 2006], we had one child almost every hour," Menares said. Elsewhere, demand for services is increasing from people of all backgrounds. "We still see plenty of Hispanics," said Terry Blackburn-Parker, the ministry coordinator at Salem Baptist Church in Spotsylvania County. "But we have people coming by all the time. One lady needed a hotel room and we called about 10 different churches, and nobody could help. Everybody is so drained lately." Brackett believes agencies that might have helped illegal immigrants two years ago are giving less assistance now. "Agencies are saying, 'Enough is enough,'" she said. "They cannot afford to help so many illegals because they don't have enough money, even for the Americans." Eliseo Flores, pastor of the Spanish-speaking congregation at Fredericksburg Wesleyan Church, doesn't want to suggest the Hispanic community is facing a crisis. Those he knows have coped in different ways. If husbands can't find construction work, wives have taken on more home-cleaning jobs. Some families have sold property in their homelands. One man ships used cars to Mexico, then spends the money here on bills. "People are doing whatever they have to do to pay the rent, to pay the mortgage, to stay afloat," he said. "Times are difficult, but everybody is suffering, not only the Hispanic community." To see more of The Free Lance-Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://fredericksburg.com/flshome. Copyright (c) 2008, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |