Illegal Immigrant Speaks at Democratic National Convention

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

Illegal immigrant activist Benita Veliz was given a prime-time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday night, where she championed President Barack Obama’s recent decision to stop enforcing certain aspects of immigration law.

Veliz, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, gave a short address to the convention audience, and then introduced Telemundo talk-show host Cristina Saralegui.

In her speech, Veliz claimed to be “from San Antonio, Texas,” saying that she was “like so many Americans.”

“My name is Benita Veliz and I’m from San Antonio, Texas. Like so many Americans, of all races and backgrounds, I was brought here as a child,” Veliz said. “I’ve been here ever since.”

However, her profile on the activist website dreamactivist.org reveals that she came to the United States from Mexico at age 8 on a tourist visa and that her family then illegally overstayed.

Beliz was profiled in a March 2009 editorial in the New York Times after she launched a public campaign to prevent her deportation after she was arrested in Texas, caught driving without a license. The Times editorial stated that Veliz had an ID card issued by the Mexican consulate.

Beliz has been an activist for the DREAM Act – a proposed law that would allow illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children to be granted legal status if they go to college or serve in the military – since college, where she wrote her honors thesis on the legislation, according to the Times.

“I know I have something to contribute to my economy and my country,” Veliz said on Wednesday, referring to America, not Mexico. “I feel just as American as any of my friends or neighbors.”

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which opposes illegal immigration, called Veliz’s appearance in Charlotte a “celebration of lawlessness.”

“In choosing to have someone who defiantly remains present in the United States in violation of federal law address the convention during prime time is nothing more than a celebration of lawlessness,” FAIR President Dan Stein said in a press release.

According to a press release from the illegal immigration activist group United We Dream (UWD), Veliz successfully fought deportation after UWD organized a petition drive to pressure the Department of Homeland Security. Despite avoiding deportation, Veliz remained an illegal immigrant.

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[spookyturtle 9,465]

Great. Just fvcking great. Let's give illegals a voice in the national spotlight. And a President who only enforces part of the law. I wonder what will happen to me if I don't pay a parking ticket or speeding ticket?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Mexicans are Americans too!

[MyLittlePony 340]

Throw the illegal on the bus to mexico.

[Darnell 8,478]

This is so cool !!!

I'm gonna move to Singapura again. At least I know how to buy my way in.

(Anyone can do it, and it's legal )

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Illegal immigrant activist Benita Veliz was given a prime-time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday night, where she championed President Barack Obama's recent decision to stop enforcing certain aspects of immigration law.

Veliz, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, gave a short address to the convention audience, and then introduced Telemundo talk-show host Cristina Saralegui.

In her speech, Veliz claimed to be "from San Antonio, Texas," saying that she was "like so many Americans."

"My name is Benita Veliz and I'm from San Antonio, Texas. Like so many Americans, of all races and backgrounds, I was brought here as a child," Veliz said. "I've been here ever since."

However, her profile on the activist website dreamactivist.org reveals that she came to the United States from Mexico at age 8 on a tourist visa and that her family then illegally overstayed.

Beliz was profiled in a March 2009 editorial in the New York Times after she launched a public campaign to prevent her deportation after she was arrested in Texas, caught driving without a license. The Times editorial stated that Veliz had an ID card issued by the Mexican consulate.

Beliz has been an activist for the DREAM Act – a proposed law that would allow illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children to be granted legal status if they go to college or serve in the military – since college, where she wrote her honors thesis on the legislation, according to the Times.

"I know I have something to contribute to my economy and my country," Veliz said on Wednesday, referring to America, not Mexico. "I feel just as American as any of my friends or neighbors."

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which opposes illegal immigration, called Veliz's appearance in Charlotte a "celebration of lawlessness."

"In choosing to have someone who defiantly remains present in the United States in violation of federal law address the convention during prime time is nothing more than a celebration of lawlessness," FAIR President Dan Stein said in a press release.

According to a press release from the illegal immigration activist group United We Dream (UWD), Veliz successfully fought deportation after UWD organized a petition drive to pressure the Department of Homeland Security. Despite avoiding deportation, Veliz remained an illegal immigrant.

link

Would be funny as Hale if ICE nabbed her and drug her off stage

[Neonred 3,562]

Prime time speaker at the DNC and she can't even vote! LOL

[MyLittlePony 340]

Im going to move in mexico next year and see how they like it if i was illegal in there country.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Im going to move in mexico next year and see how they like it if i was illegal in there country.

¿Como está tu Español?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Democrats had slaves speak at the 1860 convention in favor of slavery, so what is new? Illegals are the replacement for slaves, actually cheaper. Dems are all for it.

Steven criticizes the richest woman in the world for wanting to pay people less money and then cheers as exploited humans speak at his party's convention. Just great. Makes a lot of sense. Criticize employers in Australia and let them get away with abuse and exploitation here.

Im going to move in mexico next year and see how they like it if i was illegal in there country.

If they kick you out, keep going south.

Prime time speaker at the DNC and she can't even vote! LOL

What would stop her from voting? We are not required to prove we are citizens to vote.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Would be funny as Hale if ICE nabbed her and drug her off stage

Funny but not effective. What would be effective is if we found out her employer was taxed $2.8 million dollars for employing illegals and his property and business were seized until the tax was paid. Now THAT would be funny...and effective.

Dems are in favor of any kind of tax...right? Tax business for making too much profit, right?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

THIS should give Obama the bounce he was looking for! You know that voters and taxpayers love illegal immigrants.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Prime time speaker at the DNC and she can't even vote! LOL

Wanna bet? I bet she got a hundred free ballots.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Im going to move in mexico next year and see how they like it if i was illegal in there country.

The penalties for being illegal in Mexico are quite severe and harsh, si man. You don't want to be an illegal Hondureno or Guatemalteco in Mexico and be caught, NO man.

Wanna bet? I bet she got a hundred free ballots.

This post arguably qualifies for the pantheon of all-time VJ posts, si(gh) man.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Prime time speaker at the DNC and she can't even vote! LOL

I bet voter ID laws have disenfranchised this poor woman