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Immigration See other Immigration Articles Title: Some Latinos say they've been betrayed by Obama October 4, 2006 - Senator Barack Obama has enjoyed a broad cross section of support among those supporting the senator many Latino-Americans. But now some say they have been betrayed by the senator with -- it seems -- higher political aspirations. The immigration march that brought about 100,000 people through downtown Chicago last spring also got the attention of local politicians. March organizers say afterwards they met with Senator Barack Obama privately, where they say he promised to support to immigration rights and even participated in the next immigration rally. But now some say the senator has turned his back on the Mexican-American community. "This is a slap in the face of the Mexican community and the Latino community," said Carlos Arango, Casa Aztlan. "My contribution is going to be to finally take the liberal mask off Barack Obama and show him for who is at this point. He is an enemy of our community," said Omar Lopez, Institute of Mexicans Abroad. Latino leaders held a news conference Wednesday to air their anger and frustration with the senator. At issue, President Bush signed into law Wednesday that would allow the federal government to build a fence along the US-Mexico border. Senator Obama voted for the bill. "This step I think it makes the most difficult situation and nobody in the Latino community will forget about it," said Esther Sciammarella, Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition. "It's only to appease people in their own districts, they can get re-elected, but it doesn't solve the problem of immigration," said Guillermo Gomez, Mexican Political Organization. Senator Obama was in Peoria Wednesday to rally support for the Democratic State Candidate. He defends his vote and his support for immigration reform. "I have been a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, but we have to have control of our borders, and I don't think those two things are mutually exclusive," said Sen. Barack Obama, Democrat. Some say they will remember this vote the next time Obama is on the ballot. "I'm sad because I live in his neighborhood. I will not vote for Senator Obama in the next election. I will not vote for him if he even considers to be a president," said Carmen Rocha, Alivio Medical Center. As evidence of testing the presidential waters, Senator Obama has visited Iowa twice in two weeks. Iowa traditionally opens the presidential nominating season. But the folks upset by his border vote say they withdraw support for the senator now and in the future. Washington - United States senator Barack Obama, speaking on lessons learned from his recent trip to Africa, said there are plenty of reasons, especially economic ones, for US to consider the problems of the continent. The Illinois Democrat told a predominantly black audience at a forum sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation that US is making a costly mistake by not competing with China for Africans' gratitude. "One of the striking things as I was travelling through Africa: everybody said that US' absence is as noticeable and prominent as the Chinese's presence," he said. "The Chinese are everywhere throughout Africa. They are building roads, bridges, government buildings and hospitals." Obama said the Chinese efforts also are building good will and establishing relationships that could potentially allow them to corner the market on the continent's natural resources, particularly oil. "We're not doing that because we don't think it is important and, over time, that's going to have an enormous impact on us," he warned. Lobby on behalf of African students In response to audience questions, Obama also said US should be more willing to import African agriculture goods and that African-Americans need to lobby on behalf of African students who want to come to the country on student visas. Obama was quick to note that he represents a major farm state, and that he must first represent his constituents. But he indicated there is room to consider Africa. "The truth is African producers are not going to compete against Illinois corn and bean farmers," he said. "What they grow are speciality crops," such as flowers. Obama said US and other agricultural powers who often argue over export-import issues need to open up their markets to the smaller producers, even if they have not resolved trade disputes among themselves. "What is happening essentially is Africa is getting caught in the battles between Brazil, US and Europe in terms of their subsidies," he said. Advocacy around immigration issues "Africa really has nothing to do with it, but they're suffering because we can't get an agreement." Obama, the senate's only black member, also urged his audience that if they want to see more Africans obtaining student visas to visit US they need to be as forceful in making their case as other immigrant groups. "There are immigrant anchor groups in this country that are fierce in terms of their advocacy around immigration issues. "And, as a consequence, immigrants from these countries get better treatment and students from these countries get better treatment because somebody's in their face all the time saying, `Why aren't you doing this?"' said Obama.
Poster Comment: Them Mexicans sure was hoppin' mad on the Tee Vee today. Obama at least seems to know which jersey he's wearing.
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