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Show RE ECKL i SE Some Hispanics inuniform torn by immigration debate Elliot Spagat| The Associated Press Marcial Rodriguez, a U.S. Marine who grew up in a Mexican farmingvillage,is offerided that the country he went to war for might deport.his relatives who areliving hereillegally from Mexico,” he said. “We Three months after the lance wat to participate in this coun- corporalreturned to Ohio from the fighting in Iraq, the U.S. try x is unclear how many soldiersfind their loyalties House adopted bill that would make Rodriguez's cousin felon for being oneof the nation's similarly divided,but at a time 11 millionillegal immigrants. Rodriguez, 20, said he listed in the Marinereserves to repay the debthe felt owed toa countrythat had given him an , education and a homeforhis family “People from manydifferent countries are fighting, not just when Pentagon has stepped up recruiting of Hispanics tofill recruiting quotas, experts say a crackdownon illegal immigration would undoubtedly cause resentmentin the ranks. “Howdo youtell them we going to deport their parents and grandparents?” asked res Oe a Oe Hector Flores, presidentof the country.” percent of Marine recruits last year, up from 13.4 percent in 2002 and 11.7 percent in 1997, April 9 that drew50,000 people in San Diego, Hispanic veterans from World War II carried the firm said. Soldiers and veterans have been a popular presenceat a wave of pro-immigrant rallies Leagueof United Latin American Citizens, a group that has encouraged Hispanics who do across the country in recent weeks. In Houston, speakers not plan to attend college to pointed to peoplein uniform join the ‘ary. “That’s not America.” Hispanics are increasingly joining the militaryas their numbers have grown, according to 2 2004 study on Marine recruitment by CNA Corp. research firm in Arlington, Va. at a rally this month repeatedly on a nearby bridge, and they received roaring applause, said Eliseo Medina,a top official of the Service Employees Interna- tional Union. “They stick outlike a sore thumb,” Meuina said. “When (demonstrators) see people in The study found Hispanics have uniform,it gives them tremendone exceptionally well in the » weare contributing to this Marines, with bgot*camp attrition rates well belowaverage. Hispanics accounted for 16.5 dous pride and validates that At a pro-immigration rally signs that read “We Foughtin Your Wars,” said Jorge Mar- iscal, a Vietnam veteran. “After serving our country, to see our relatives nowcrimi- killed by a roadside bomb last June. Rodriguez is nowa freshman at Baldwin-Wallace Collegein Berea, Ohio, wherehe is studying international relations. Hesaid he has dreamed since boyhoodof joining the CIA. He speaks English and Spanish and is learning French. His father Ernesto Rodri- nalized through this legislation is provoking l a ot of people, said Mariscal, director of C canostudies at the University of California, San Diego. Rodriguez enlisted in 2004 after graduating from high schoolin Painesville, Ohio. Nine months later, he was combing Iraq for insurgents near the Syrian border. Hebarelyescaped death when three friends of his were deciding that he a never be able to support a family in Mexico. He had dropped outof schoolafter third grade and had been farming cornin the Mexi- canstate of Guanajuato from age16. After getting caught bythe Border Patrol, he madeit on a second try and worked on a chicken farmnear Dallas. Coa Pre PeCertan Bak Earn Dillard's Reward Points Every Time You Shop *Subject to credit approval. Cert ates for opening a Dillard's credit $ Receive in Reward Certificates When You Open An Account ‘Shop Monday- -Saturday 10-9 and Sunday 12-6 at all Dillard's locations. In Provo,at Provo Towne Centre.In Salt Lake City at Fashion Place and South Towne Center. In Ogden, at Newgate Mall. in Logan, Wewelcome yourDillard's Credit Card, The American Express® Card, Diners ClubInternational, Mastercard: card account will arrive with the frst billing statement expire 60 days from issuance. Sce credit application for Rewards program terms. Cache eter Mall. in St. George, at Red Cliffs Mall, and The Discover Card. |