You Don't Speak for Me
Encyclopedia
You Don't Speak for Me is an anti-illegal immigration
activist group in the United States
. Retired Army Colonel Al Rodriguez founded the group in 2006, to represent Hispanic Americans like him who are opposed to legalization for those who have entered the US illegally or overstayed their visas.
. According to Rodriguez, "Their leaders were saying it was a march for immigrant rights and a Latino/Hispanic movement. I thought to myself, 'Hey, those are illegal aliens, not immigrants!' I'm of Hispanic ancestry and those people are acting like they speak for me. Well, you don't speak for me!"
You Don't Speak for Me was launched with help from the Federation for American Immigration Reform
. Less than three months after the launch, a vice chair of the group claimed that it had attracted about a thousand members.
In 2007, group leaders participated in a rally for immigration reform outside of the White House.
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
activist group in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Retired Army Colonel Al Rodriguez founded the group in 2006, to represent Hispanic Americans like him who are opposed to legalization for those who have entered the US illegally or overstayed their visas.
History
The group was created after Rodriguez viewed media coverage of the 2006 United States immigration reform protests2006 United States immigration reform protests
In 2006, millions of people participated in protests over a proposed change to U.S. immigration policy. The protests began in response to proposed legislation known as H.R. 4437, which would raise penalties for Illegal immigration and classify illegal immigrants and anyone who helped them enter or...
. According to Rodriguez, "Their leaders were saying it was a march for immigrant rights and a Latino/Hispanic movement. I thought to myself, 'Hey, those are illegal aliens, not immigrants!' I'm of Hispanic ancestry and those people are acting like they speak for me. Well, you don't speak for me!"
You Don't Speak for Me was launched with help from the Federation for American Immigration Reform
Federation for American Immigration Reform
The Federation for American Immigration Reform is a non-profit tax exempt educational organization in the United States that advocates changes in U.S. immigration policy that would result in significant reductions in immigration, both legal and illegal...
. Less than three months after the launch, a vice chair of the group claimed that it had attracted about a thousand members.
In 2007, group leaders participated in a rally for immigration reform outside of the White House.