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Illegal? No Toys for You, Kid

Texas charities playing Santa check immigration status

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 2, 2009 8:16 PM CST

(Newser) – A handful of Houston-area charities tasked with giving toys to children this holiday season are checking would-be recipients’ immigration status first—and denying goodies to kids in the US illegally. Though one such group says the measure is aimed at parents, immigration advocates are appalled.

“It is very disturbing to think a holiday like Christmas would be tainted with things like this,” one rep tells the Chronicle. “Usually, people target the adults because the adults made the decision to migrate, where the children are just brought through no fault of their own.”

Hundreds march in a 2008 immigration rally in Iowa.
Hundreds march in a 2008 immigration rally in Iowa.   (AP Photo)
Some toy donations in Houston are going only to children whose parents are in the US legally.
Some toy donations in Houston are going only to children whose parents are in the US legally.   (BusinessWire)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 55 comments
dax
Dec 4, 2009 6:08 AM CST
And the person who thumbed you down can't bear the shame of what your words imply. Thumbs up to you.
culchie
Dec 4, 2009 5:44 AM CST
They're children. Ask any question you want, but doing that to children because their parents did something to take care of their kids -- especially at Christmas -- is low, and fails the test.
ilguy
Dec 4, 2009 4:28 AM CST
I disagree. It is fair to ask WHY those children wouldn't otherwise get toys. To not ask this question creates generation after generation of people who won't try to take care of themselves or their children.

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