Local station WJLA channel 7 is continuing its “Project Immigration” this weekend with a one hour special Sunday evening (June 8th, 7:00 pm). The program will purportedly present an evenhanded overview of the effects of illegal immigration in the greater Washington DC area.
WJLA reporter Andrea McCarren visited Sterling in March to discuss the Honest Business Network (see that story here).
After watching that report, I think WJLA’s team is doing an objective and fair job of reporting on this problem in Northern Virginia. I encourage everyone to watch the program on Sunday. The WJLA press release on Sunday’s program is below the fold.
PROJECT IMMIGRATION: MELTING POT MELTDOWN
An In-Depth Look at All Sides of the Immigration Debate
On Sunday, June 8th at 7:00 PM, ABC 7/WJLA-TV News Anchor Leon Harris and Special Projects Reporter Andrea McCarren will host a one-hour special on immigration and its profound impact on the Washington area. The show provides a rare look at the personal stories of illegal immigrants and those who oppose them. “This special reflects WJLA’s ongoing commitment to covering the contentious topic of Immigration,” said Bill Lord, WJLA-TV’s VP of News. “It has become one of the most difficult and divisive issues facing our local governments today.”
Harris, McCarren and Photographer Dave Webb recently traveled to Central America to show viewers where the pursuit of the American dream often begins. The team also documents the pipeline of money earned in the U.S. and sent to countries like El Salvador. Additionally, the ABC 7 news team reports on how immigration affects our schools, healthcare facilities and law enforcement. Beth Mausteller is the Executive Producer of the special. Michael Wright is the editor.
“The United States is being invaded,” the executive director of the Maryland Minutemen tells ABC 7. “And if we don’t do something about it, we’re going to lose our country.” In contrast, a day laborer who came to this country illegally told our crew, “We come to the United States looking for a dignified job… and I think that is not a crime.”
ABC 7/WJLA-TV is a division of Allbritton Communications Company, which owns and operates eight television stations in seven broadcast markets, including Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, DC. Allbritton Communications also owns and operates NewsChannel 8, Washington’s 24-hour local cable news channel, as well as the political newspaper and website POLITICO and POLITICO.com.
These guys aren’t much for orators but I liked the way they compiled the story; from all sides and the middle. I thought it fair and was very happy to hear that they are teaching the children in school to dream about STAYING in their own country and making it.
I also feel that if you are going to have kids and be a good parent, providing for them is nice. Being available is better. Who in their right mind is going to abandon their children for 15 years to “make a better life for them”? Wouldn’t it be easier to have LESS children so you can afford their upbringing? I’m all for big families IF you can afford them but there really is a limit on stupidity (except for Sanity? or zimzo, of course). Glad the economy is in the toilet for them and that they are “moving on”. And I really do hope they get the word out that America is not the place to go (unless, of course, you PLAN for it and go the LEGAL route. This only means that you truly want this for your life and are willing to wait for it). Good things are always worth waiting for!
I came in a little late on the program but liked what I saw. Pretty well balanced IMO.
I, too, wish they didn’t have so many children, but Busch and Co. don’t seem to believe in spreading the use of birthcontrol in the world; cutting funds and telling folks that abstinence is THE WAY. As if… Rumor has it that Latino males are very loathe to having vasectomies.
Indonesia cut its birth rate considerably years back by providing free birthcontrol pills; furthermore a huge national push to urge families to limit the number of children to two. Went so far as to minting a coin with two parents and two children on it.
From the program, one could definitely see the deplorable conditions in the countries AND the difference in housing between those who had family members in USA and those who don’t. Just like here,owning a big house shows you’ve arrived!