Posted by tomross at 4/8/08 5:21 p.m.

SU is evidently not short for Stand Up for freedom of choices of careers.

Posted by Cooly McDuck at 4/8/08 5:23 p.m.

"The official position of students was that having the Border Patrol on campus could make trouble for students and SU staff who are in the country illegally."

I'd be interested to see how many students and staff are here illegally. If any students know, please, do inform.

Posted by radioactive at 4/8/08 6:01 p.m.

As usual with left wing loons and naive and foolish college students with brains of mush who follow their lead like sheep ,the attitude is:Freedom of speech for me but not for thee.

Posted by jinjimbob at 4/8/08 6:58 p.m.

Check their papers!

Posted by Coolpapa at 4/8/08 7:10 p.m.

Students and SU staff who are in the country illegally made their own trouble - the Border Patrol didn't make it for them.

Posted by cj in seattle at 4/8/08 7:44 p.m.

From the signs I gather that it is past behavior of the boarder patrol seems to be part of their objection. Perhaps we should hear them out instead of blowing them off?

Posted by unregistered user at 4/8/08 7:44 p.m.

Round up the protesters and kick them out. They are supposed to be there to learn something, not cause trouble.

Posted by sweetchuckd at 4/8/08 8:25 p.m.

Read a story about a Texas teen who was attacked for bringing an anti-immigration sign to school. This, and all other crazy headlines in public schools can be found at http://detentionslip.org.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/8/08 9:56 p.m.

Congrats to the SU students for showing backbone. The border patrol, and the border itself, are being turned into a military operation. The U.S. economy would tank without immigrant labor, but keeping workers in an illegal status insures they can be exploited -- which hurts everyone's wages and conditions. Good article.

Posted by David_Spademan at 4/8/08 11:54 p.m.

What's next? Protest against police on campus because there could be crooks, criminals or rapists on campus?

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 1:19 a.m.

As a Seattle University alumni, it irritates me that these students have seemingly forgotten what they are attending school for: to learn to think critically and not simply react to events around them. The fact that the Border Patrol is part of the larger job fair is irrelevant (see Webster's)to any concern of illegals on campus. I'm sure the Border Patrol did not vett the students or staff before accepting the invitation. As to any illegals present, if Seattle University is doing it's job, there shouldn't be any illegals among it's students and especially the staff.

Posted by phoenixguy at 4/9/08 5:22 a.m.

I live in Phoenix, moved here from Seattle 8 years ago, and can tell you the Border Patrol does a great job, and is very respected. These kids are just sheep to me and don't have a CLUE! The key word in illegal immigrant is "Illegal", and the Border Patrol is just trying to protect our border.

Posted by Bugsly at 4/9/08 6:22 a.m.

30 protesters? Sounds about like the averages are correct to the student body. There are always a few misguided people who don't understand reality.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 7:27 a.m.

If they don't allow federal agencies to recruit on their campus, ALL federal funds, including Pell grants and federally funded student loans, should by withheld. If it is a state run institution funds to the state should be cut off.
If you don't agree with an agency( or company) don't apply.

Posted by John425 at 4/9/08 8:10 a.m.

No doubt the students could benefit from a visit to SU Law School. If a staff memebr is teaching there illegally then the entire university is breaking the law.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 9:29 a.m.

The protesting students need to learn how the illegals in our country abuse our healthcare to the lengths of causing multiple closures of emergency rooms and major trauma centers because they don't pay for their healthcare, but expect you and me to pay for it for them. They are infiltrating our education system, expecting teachers to teach them English, which keeps the teachers from teaching American children the expected curriculum. They don't pay taxes and they fill our penal institutes. This is only the tip of the illegal iceberg!

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 12:08 p.m.

What a bunch of idiots. Who are they to be critical of agencies that enforce the laws of the land? What if I feel like beating them up? Would they be ok with police not enforcing those laws?

Get to class, get an education, and be part of a democracy. If you do not like laws, lobby to get them changed through the political process. Not by being an idiot.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 12:54 p.m.

My God what has this country come to. America is so comfortable these days. Jerk-off protesters like them have nothing to protest anymore because they're a bunch of spoiled brats

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 1:02 p.m.

The border patrol's presence at SU is very disheartening mainly because the border patrol's tactics conflict with the values upheld by any Jesuit institution, mainly the importance of basic human rights for all no matter what their immigration status or country of origin might be.

One other thing I would like to touch upon is the notion that if SU is doing their job correctly there should not be any undocumented students on campus. There is no federal or state law the prohibits the admission of undocumented students to public or private US colleges or universities. As a private institution, SU is even allowed to set their own financial aid policy and are allowed to provide financial aid, apart from federally funded aid, to undocumented students.I am sure the SU is doing their job correctly but just know that they are allowed to admit undocumented students.

If we are going to discuss tax dollars then we might as well touch upon the issue of the amount of money going toward a branch of the Department of Homeland Security that has proven ineffective. In 2002, the border patrol's budget had reached $1.6 billion yet each year their is an increase in the numbers of undocumented immigrants coming into the United States. So, why is so much money going to the border patrol if they have shown no results? Throwing more money at them surely will not help.
While we're on the topic of money, we should discuss the fact that undocumented workers provide the system with a subsidy of as much as $7 billion a year. That is $7 billion towards Social Security and Medicare that they are not entitled to.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 1:47 p.m.

jerk-off protestors? what kind of language is that?

I'm seeing a lot of comments calling these students idiots but who are we to determine their intelligence level? I feel that this blog post does little to actually show their perspective; for all we know these students could give us a list of rational reasons they decided to protest.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 1:52 p.m.

My understanding is that Catholic (including Jesuit) Doctrine allows for nations to maintain their sovereignty which would included protecting their borders. However, once an immigrant is here (illegal or otherwise) we are obligated to help.

Having said that.... what is up with college these days? Rather than a free exchange of ideas they want to censor or ban organizations they don't agree with?

Pay attention parents!! Look closely at Seattle University (or any other college) before you decide to send your kids there. It is not the same environment that we had when we were kids. The true rebels are the conservatives.

Posted by John425 at 4/9/08 1:55 p.m.

unregistereduser at post # 115087 says: "...values upheld by any Jesuit institution, mainly the importance of basic human rights for all no matter what their immigration status or country of origin might be."

Don't be a moron! Even the Vatican is a nation-state and I don't think Jesuit liberation theology extends to allowing impoverished illegals from elsewhere to set up camp on Vatican grounds and/or get jobs in the Swiss Guard, get treatment in the Vatican infirmary nor do they get to send their children to free Catholic schooling there, either.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 2:03 p.m.

"...for all we know these students could give us a list of rational reasons they decided to protest..."

Protest signs that read "You Search. You Punish. You Shoot." and a sign that shows no borders in North America is not rational. It is also not rational to all people who are hear illegally to have a job or an education at the expense of those who come here legally. They are not rational at all.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 2:08 p.m.

I want to know what are the tactics that the Border Patrol is using that are conflict of upholding the law. Or do the values upheld by a Jesuit institution include the right to violate the law(God's or man's), as they see fit. Didn't Jesus Say to give to Ceasar what is due Ceasar. I believe he was talking more than just taxes. Or since taxation is a law can we disreguard that too?

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 2:53 p.m.

As a Seattle U Alumni I don't see a problem with protesters supporting a view. The University teaches and stresses the idea of human rights. The people who are ranting and trying to cast these students as "low intelligence" or otherwise need to check their own education level.

Also with how Washington's tax structure is everyone should know the "illegals" do pay taxes because we have a sales tax, not an income tax. The State does not lose any money by offering and giving these people services, they pay for it every time they buy anything. Also I seem to think those most blasting these students for sharing their views probably make much more and don't know what it is like to make minimum wage.

Spreading hate is irresponsible no matter what forum. I wish you could all see what immigrants really do to make sure you have cheap toys and food for your family dinners.

Posted by Big Caddy at 4/9/08 2:55 p.m.

I heard two of the protestors on the radio. What an absolute disgrace these teo were for Seattle University. I question whether they are actually in college...if so, SU must have dramatically lowered their admission standards. The two I heard couldn't respond to simple direct questions - completely clueless. Every question fell into their mantra that "illegals are good, U.S. is bad..."

Are we sure this wasn't a bunch on a field trip from Evergreen?

So apparently these do-gooder liberal activists would prefer no border patrol at all? I suppose they also would chastise the alert BP officer in Port Angeles that stopped the millenium bomber???

They had a real tough time admitting that everyday in America 12 murders are committed by illegals (4,000 annually) and 13 people are killed daily by drunk drivers here illegally (4500)... That's 100,000 killed by illegals in 10 years and doesn't even count rapes, burglaries, assaults...that make up 27% of the U.S. prison population. And if you don't like criminal statistics, we can go through the littany of hospitals and school districts in border states that have been bankrupted by the influx of illegals.

Border Patrol? God bless them.... No borders, no nation...

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 3:31 p.m.

Our Constitutional Republic (Got that?.. Republic) Demands that the Rule of Law, American Law, not Law of the Jungle prevail in our "People Owned" government/country. Our country is NOT a democracy, where Majority rules. A democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner, and majority rules. There are traffic laws, Penal Laws, Criminal Laws, etc. And then there is Immigration Laws, of which are not being enforced. Our elected servants have failed their bosses; US. Build the fence; Enforce the laws already on the books, or we'll get others who will and put your scrawny asses in the soup line with the rest of those unfortunate people, your lack of American Pride have put there. And the only reason these illegal aliens protest against their host government, is because if they tried to do it in their own country, they'd be shot! Your struggle has no credibility. Go back to your own country and fight for it. This is our country and you are invaders. Invaders are never welcomed and never will be. And you SU students should be ashamed of yourselves; helping the invaders to destroy our country. Remember; You are who you hang around. Invaders, one and all.

Posted by snickers at 4/9/08 4:07 p.m.

Why are the students worried about students and faculty who are at SU illegally? Are they condoning breaking the law? If so, they are in the wrong country. Illegal aliens are called that because they are here ilegally. They use up tax dollars that they do not contribute to. When you little students grow up and have to pay taxes, too, then maybe you'll understand some of the above comments.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 4:44 p.m.

As I understand these students do not doubt that the Border Patrol has stopped many drug and human smugglers from crossing the border. What they are trying to bring to our attention is further militarization of the border and increased border defenses, and the negative affects that result. The focus was on the increasing number of deaths occuring at the border, regardless of the amount of Border Patrol present. The point is, rather than trying to stop every group of men and women, who are simply searching for jobs, from crossing the border, the Border Patrol could be focussing on the trucks full of drugs that continue to enter the country. Those are where your REAL criminals are, not a 30 year old man who is going to be bent over in fields for $5 an hour picking our vegetables.

Posted by Cooly McDuck at 4/9/08 7:28 p.m.

"The point is, rather than trying to stop every group of men and women, who are simply searching for jobs, from crossing the border, the Border Patrol could be focussing on the trucks full of drugs that continue to enter the country."

Your simplification is naive. How do you distinguish without stopping both parties? Who's going to pay Johnny USA's welfare while an illegal immigrant is working his job for less money? Certainly not the illegal!

I don't think there's anything wrong with protesting for a cause, but like our military, the border patrol workers are not the people to protest against. This is akin to the backlash against Vietnam Vets when they returned to the country.

Perhaps instead of taking walks down alley #2 and claiming typical freshman/sophomore holier than thou status, these students should start writing their representatives, or better yet, come up with a plan themselves that will address immigration/employment/education/taxation/welfare/housing. They are all part of the same issue. Good luck

Posted by unregistered user at 4/10/08 12:08 a.m.

the concern was not that we thought it scared people at our school "illegally," but that students and workers find border patrol tactics cruel and insulting, and not respectful of human rights. as a nation of immigrants, most people should be taking personal offense to such dehumanizing tactics, although not all do. i am dissapointed amy that you twisted our words to say such an accusational thing, turning the emphasis away from our point.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/10/08 12:28 a.m.

..we have never claimed people are undocumented at our school, or at least i have never heard that claim, and that was not our point at all. i am very dissapointed if that is all people have gotten out of the action. there is a bigger issue here, please open your eyes.

Posted by pruby at 4/10/08 1:58 a.m.

As an SU alumnus and as a former Border Patrol Agent I am annoyed by these protests. I would venture a guess that these protesters have no idea about the realities of patrolling the U.S.- Mexico border. Since moving back to Seattle I have seen nothing but a singularly demented political slant to coverage of Immigration issues. Without a doubt the finest people I have ever known and worked with are members of the U.S. Border Patrol. They do an impossible job on a daily basis only to be denigrated by people so single minded and miss-informed. The average Agent working the Southwest border will play a part in the saving of thousands of lives during the term of their career. They are not automatons bent on harming their brothers and sisters in humanity, nor are they nonplused by the political plight of these people. To the contrary, most of these agent's realize that the problems of tens of millions of people living in poverty, in Latin America and elsewhere, are not best served by the illegal entry of the few into this country, but by pursuing wholesale changes in the countries of their origin. Perhaps these protesters would be better served picketing the consulates of corrupt and indifferent countries that pulverize their own people into such desperation.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/10/08 3:05 a.m.

This protest was a freedom of expression, and one that obviously hoped to open eyes. Students sought to address some of the problems inherent in American society. I concur; the nation needs borders in order maintain autonomy as well as regulate commerce; however this border does not need to be militarized to the extent that it is. The severity of the vehemence in posted responses about "illegals" shows there is deep rooted racism freely flowing in society. These immigrants are seen as sub human in many cases and are not valued as people with the same inherent value as each of us [citizens]. This racism leads us to forget that many immigrants have and continue to contribute to our nation in many positive ways. Many do pay taxes, they work tirelessly at jobs that sustain us, and they embrace community and family. Migrant workers do the tasks most citizens will not deign to do. There are jobs in our country for those who want them, if Americans wanted these jobs they would not relinquish them so freely, they would protest on a much wider scale when employers pay wages so menial it is hard to distinguish between employment and slavery. We have outsourced our information jobs and our very lifestyle creates disdain for the blue collar, for people who work with the earth. While our country cannot sustain mass immigrations, why not create a more diplomatic process for acquiring citizenship? Why destroy the fragile lives those who already reside here? Why insult the students who have empathy, feel injustice, and live in a society that has gone to great lengths to ensure every person has a voice?

Posted by unregistered user at 4/10/08 8:00 a.m.

"There is no federal or state law the prohibits the admission of undocumented students to public or private US colleges or universities."

What part of ILLEGAL do you not understand. The fact they are in the country at all is a violation of law that prohibits admission.

Posted by Halcontent at 4/10/08 1:15 p.m.

Seattle is just Berkley North. We have our share of morons up here who think they have the right to shove anyone out of the way if they do not agree with their view on any given issue.
If these mush minded children don't like the Border patrol, I suggest they not fill out a job application with them.
For you idiots who claim the Border Patrol is abusing poor, "just wanna pick your apples" illegal aliens down on the border, I rcommend you go down to the CA. or AZ. border and spend a few days with these brave young men & women.
Until you do, you have no right to speak of them.
Go home; drink your green tea and dream of your socialist fairyland.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/10/08 2:42 p.m.

I'm glad to see the culture of uninformed, ill-educated and Starbuck's addicted youth is alive in well in the Northwest. Not one of those students could speak about illegal immigration from a legal, moral and/or ethical standpoint because based on their ridiculous signs, they can't even conduct a basic google search for cold hard facts. Thats ok.....the Border Patrol will continue to protect this nation, while these retards continue to blow their nose on it.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/11/08 1:57 a.m.

I am so proud of the students at Seattle University for standing up for something they believe in. There are not many students at Seattle University who would stand up for what they believe and in actuality many student who go to Seattle University do not actively engage themselves in what's going on in the world.

After reading the comments, I am wondering if some people have thought about the idea of the Border Patrol? There are people searching or hunting for other people to deny them the chance for a better opportunity. Now America isn't perfect, but America can provide many more opportunities than Mexico can. I understand that Mexicans risks there lives to cross the border when they are considered illegal, but why are they risking this? I believe they are risking there lives to gain to give their family a better life and more opportunities which is what America is all about, right? Instead of spending so much many to keep humans out of America, why not spend money to create a better system to allow people who are migrating to America to come into America with the rights and services as anyone else.

I know it may be difficult to say something that disagrees with what the government would say, but do not let the government think for you.

I realize most people think that college students do not have much life experiences, but one would be surprised. And yes there are students who could use some growing up, but who doesn't? Age does not determine intelligence and a disagreement with one's own opinion does not determine intelligence. Understanding why one is doing what they are doing in being intelligence. I believe the students are being intelligent because they are asking the questions of why the Border Patrol is denying people the access to America when they could be trying to solve the reasons why people are crossing the border?

Well, I said what I wanted to say. Thank you for reading. And please remember, everyone's ancestors came to America as some point.

-Seattle University Student
"I human and like anyone else I will always have more to learn and more to stand up for"

Posted by unregistered user at 4/11/08 4:43 p.m.

IF this article is telling all there is to tell (it appears to be a pretty weak and mindless protest if that is the case) - then I am embarrassed to be an alumni that these protesting students represent. What other group cannot be represented on campus - just in case there are those with opposing views or values there already? I wasn't under the impression that the career fair participants were there to enforce their jobs, but rather to offer opportunities and suggestions for some students futures.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/11/08 4:44 p.m.

IF this article is telling all there is to tell (it appears to be a pretty weak and mindless protest if that is the case) - then I am embarrassed to be an alumni that these protesting students represent. What other group cannot be represented on campus - just in case there are those with opposing views or values there already? I wasn't under the impression that the career fair participants were NOT there to enforce their jobs, but rather to offer opportunities and suggestions for some students futures.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/15/08 3:40 p.m.

""There is no federal or state law the prohibits the admission of undocumented students to public or private US colleges or universities."

What part of ILLEGAL do you not understand. The fact they are in the country at all is a violation of law that prohibits admission."

No matter what you want to believe legal status does not prohibit an undocumented student from attending a college or university they are simply not eligible for federal financial aid. there are undocumented students attending public and private school across the country...please inform yourself!

Posted by unregistered user at 4/23/08 7:51 a.m.

The education, excuse me I mean the re-education, of our youth by socialist college teachers whose goal in life is to change America through the re-education of our youth. Parents do not properly investigate the schools they want to send their kids to and this is what happens.

I've spent 21 years in the Border Patrol, and I've seen things these poor misguided youth will never imagine. The violence, rape, beatings and ransom Mexican smugglers perpetrate on their own people would make these misguided youths cry.

We need to dispel a comonly repeated myth; illegal aliens DO NOT PAY TAXES (with the exception of paltry sales taxes) THEY DO NOT pay income taxes, they can't they have no social security number. They claim EXEMPT on their W-2's so that NO FEDERAL taxes are withheld. The reason for that is they can never hope to get a tax refund because they STEAL the social security number of someone else when they make one up and put it on a counterfeit social security card. But wait, there's more! The problem has now been compounded by the counterfeit social security number theft (read identity theft here ) and the person who really does own that social security number will now have problems with the IRS for non-reporting of income EVEN THOUGH the real number owner NEVER worked there, the illegal alien ID theft person did it. I've seen it, it's a nightmare for the real person to clean up. Ever tried dealing with the IRS? It sure isn't fun!

And for my final lesson; I've caught illegal aliens in six figure pay jobs! Tell me an American or legal alien wouldn't like to have six figure job? Illegal aliens don't always do work Americans won't do, another myth, Americans just won't do it for sub par wages so farmers and factory owners can line their pockets on the backs of low paid workers. Pay a family wage, and an American will do it. Think about this; is it ok to emslave a different race of people just so you can have cheap food, cheap motels rooms, etc. Is anybody getting cheap food or motel rooms? NO! Someone is getting rich on the backs of low paid workers! Didn't we try this a couple hundred years ago with another race of people who were relagated to cotton pickers? We sure don't think that was OK today and make apologies for it, so why is it now OK to do this to another race of people?

Think about it. Don't just mindlessly follow some radical loser teachers suggestions. You're making yourself look like a moron not a college student.

Posted by unregistered user at 4/28/08 3:01 a.m.

Once again, this article shows how liberals continue to corrupt the minds of our naive, idealistic young. I am Korean-American and am ALL FOR securing our borders. People that want come here, should do it legally, just as my elders did. And when we come to America, we bring our culture as well, but we don't DEMAND that America changes and caters to us. I don't here customer service lines asking "Press 1 to here this in Korean". Learn English. I bet this will be deleted by someone because there is no more freedom of speech, just freedom of speech from the LEFT.