L.A. protesters: Hurdles to citizenship too high

By Peter Prengaman
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — Thousands of people marched through downtown on Saturday, demanding a way for the country's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to become citizens and condemning President Bush's latest proposal.

Carrying signs saying "Amnesty Now," about 15,000 people danced to Mexican ranchera music and passed large American flags over their heads.

Organizers said many illegal immigrants were angry about a White House plan that would grant them work visas but require them to return home and pay thousands of dollars to become legal U.S. residents.

"Charging that much, Bush is going to be even more expensive than the coyotes," said protester Armando Garcia, 50, referring to smugglers who transport people across the Mexican border.

Alfredo Gonzalez, 33, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, marched with his wife and daughters, ages 6 and 8.

1. Whining is not the way to ingratiate yourself.
2. If it was known that these were illegals, why weren't the arrested?
3. For a legal resident who is not a citizen of Mexico to mount any kind of protest or participate in any political activity is to be deported at best and thrown in jail to await a trail several years down the road at worst.
4. When will the press be held accountable for not reporting known criminals? -mm