Friday, April 21, 2006

Non-Hispanics Part of Immigration Debate

All immigrants are affected by the current debate about illegal immigration and reform. 78% are from Latin America, the other 22% are from all parts of the world, the majority from Asia. DP

By PETER PRENGAMAN, The Associated Press

Washingtonpost.com : As a Pakistani, Hamid Khan stood out among the Hispanics he marched alongside at a recent immigration law protest. When he told one demonstrator where he was from, the man responded: "'Then what are you doing here?'"

Khan was surprised.

"I said 'Look, there are non-Latino groups who are also suffering under these laws,'" said Khan, 49, a commercial pilot and director of an advocacy group called the South Asian Network.

Hispanics, the nation's largest immigrant group, are leading the movement to demand a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and defeat legislation that would criminalize them.

Khan's experience provides a glimpse into the ambiguous role non-Hispanic immigrants play in a public debate that has yet to fully include them.

Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

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