MOsanthrope

Posted by Chris on April 15, 2006 at 11:05 am.

I’m conflicted about the immigration issue. I just can’t get too excited about it.

Suffice it to say that there are far more pressing issues facing the country, and I find it interesting that Washington and its media accomplices picked the present time to grab a stick and head out to this particular hornet’s nest.

Speaking of odd coincidences:

One of the St. Louis area’s most visible Hispanic entrepreneurs was deported to Mexico on Friday as an illegal immigrant.

Cecilia Velazquez, 36, is publisher of Red Latina, a Spanish-language newspaper, and president of Radio CuCui, a group that brings ethnic performers and commentators to WEW-AM radio.

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Shortly after 5 p.m. Friday, a bus took her halfway across a bridge leading into Mexico, and she was escorted on foot into Mexico, said Carl Rusnok, spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agency. Laws forbid her from re-entering this country for 10 years, Rusnok said.

Velazquez’s arrest came two days before last Sunday’s big rally on behalf of immigrants that drew thousands to the Old Courthouse in St. Louis.

* * *

Her attorney, Raymond R. Bolourtchi, said her departure “can only hurt and damage the Hispanic community. She was their voice.”

Filed under: St. Louis, Politics, U.S.