Legalizing Salvadoran Earthquake Victims Not Flying With New Republican Administration
Sharia Davis
Issue date: 2/22/01 Section: City
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Salvadoran immigrant Vladimir Monge had an idea.
In addition to sending relief directly to the people of El Salvador following the last three earthquakes, why not give legal status to all Salvadorans who came to the United States before the quakes?
But the Bush administration isn’t buying Monge’s idea. Anybody without proper documentation is being sent back to El Salvador, Monge said. “Even those whose homes were demolished and therefore have nowhere to go,” he added.
Monge came to this country three years ago. He joined the Salvadoran Emergency Committee last month after the first earthquake shook El Salvador, injuring two of his uncles and leaving them homeless.
He is working with other Washingtonians on the Salvadoran Emergency Committee, which is helping the local Red Cross assist quake victims.
The committee, which consists of members of several churches, labor unions and Latin American groups, has two goals, Monge said: to directly help the Salvadoran people and to push for legalization of all Salvadoran immigrants who came before the earthquakes.
While the committee has made no progress on the legalization goal, it has had success with collecting contributions for victims of the earthquakes back home.
In coordination with Radio America, a Hispanic radio station, the committee has collected $230,000 and sent 10 tons of food and medical supplies to El Salvador.
“We have built a sense of unity,” Monge said. “People are now more [conscious]. We are here, but we are still down there to help.”
Carrie Martin, public affair manager for the National Capitol Chapter of the American Red Cross, said that its employees are helping the best way they can.
“Red Cross is a non-government agency that relies on the generosity of American people to respond to disaster, not only in D.C. communities, but around the country and around the world,” Martin said.
The relief agency, he said, has spent $625,000 for the El Salvador relief effort and is planning to spend $1 million.
Places where people can contribute donations:
Local Red Cross (202) 872-1304
St. Anthony’s, Fall Church (703) 820-7112
Capilla Latina (202) 332-8838
St. Gabriel’s Parish (202) 291-5365
Casa de Maryland (301) 270-0442
St. Catherine Laboure Parish (301) 946-3636
E-mail Sharia Davis at Community_News1@excite.com.
In addition to sending relief directly to the people of El Salvador following the last three earthquakes, why not give legal status to all Salvadorans who came to the United States before the quakes?
But the Bush administration isn’t buying Monge’s idea. Anybody without proper documentation is being sent back to El Salvador, Monge said. “Even those whose homes were demolished and therefore have nowhere to go,” he added.
Monge came to this country three years ago. He joined the Salvadoran Emergency Committee last month after the first earthquake shook El Salvador, injuring two of his uncles and leaving them homeless.
He is working with other Washingtonians on the Salvadoran Emergency Committee, which is helping the local Red Cross assist quake victims.
The committee, which consists of members of several churches, labor unions and Latin American groups, has two goals, Monge said: to directly help the Salvadoran people and to push for legalization of all Salvadoran immigrants who came before the earthquakes.
While the committee has made no progress on the legalization goal, it has had success with collecting contributions for victims of the earthquakes back home.
In coordination with Radio America, a Hispanic radio station, the committee has collected $230,000 and sent 10 tons of food and medical supplies to El Salvador.
“We have built a sense of unity,” Monge said. “People are now more [conscious]. We are here, but we are still down there to help.”
Carrie Martin, public affair manager for the National Capitol Chapter of the American Red Cross, said that its employees are helping the best way they can.
“Red Cross is a non-government agency that relies on the generosity of American people to respond to disaster, not only in D.C. communities, but around the country and around the world,” Martin said.
The relief agency, he said, has spent $625,000 for the El Salvador relief effort and is planning to spend $1 million.
Places where people can contribute donations:
Local Red Cross (202) 872-1304
St. Anthony’s, Fall Church (703) 820-7112
Capilla Latina (202) 332-8838
St. Gabriel’s Parish (202) 291-5365
Casa de Maryland (301) 270-0442
St. Catherine Laboure Parish (301) 946-3636
E-mail Sharia Davis at Community_News1@excite.com.
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