Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 2007)
Carpenter organizer gets reprieve before deportation José Cobián, better known to local Carpenters as union organizer José Luis Mendoza, won temporary free- dom Jan. 23 when Federal Judge Anna Brown declined to impose house arrest in the weeks before his Feb. 13 immi- gration hearing. United States illegally. Cobián, 36, left his native Colima, Mexico in 1989 to take under-the-table construction jobs in the Portland area. He taught himself to speak fluent English, and in 1996 was able to obtain false documents, which he used as the foundation to As reported in the Nov. 17 NW La- bor Press, staff at the Pacific North- west Regional Council of Carpenters were taken by surprise last August when “Luis” was arrested and it came to light that their co-worker of five years had entered and worked in the PROTECTING UNION MEMBERS’ SMILES AND WALLETS. Orthodontics Available Quality, Affordable Family Dental Care • General, cosmetic, and specialty care • Most insurance and union plans accepted • Easy credit and low monthly payments, O.A.C. • Evening and Saturday appointments • Ask about our Dental Discount Program Portland 3580 SE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97266 503-777-0761 Grants Pass 1021 NE 6th St. Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-479-6696 “I CAN GO TO ONE PLACE TO FIX IT ALL?” Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. Gresham 443 NW Burnside Road Gresham, OR 97030 503-492-8487 Salem 831 Lancaster Mall Dr. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-362-8359 Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. Wilsonville 25700 SW Argyle Ave. Wilsonville, OR 97070 503-682-8552 Salmon Creek 2101 NE 129th St. Vancouver, WA 98686 360-574-4574 Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. Klamath Falls 4052 S. 6th St. Klamath Falls, OR 97603 541-883-7706 Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. Milwaukie 17186 SE McLoughlin Blvd. Milwaukie, OR 97267 503-659-2525 Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. Chau Ngo, D.D.S., M.S. Phong Bui, D.M.D. Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Stirewalt, P.C. Fisher’s Landing 3250 SE 164th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98683 360-891-1999 Peter Vu, D.M.D. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Stirewalt, P.C. 1-888-BRIGHT NOW www.brightnow.com Serving unions for over 25 years every point in the gov- build a life resembling that ernment’s investigation, of a citizen. He joined the recommended the low- union, became an organ- est sentence within the izer, married, had two federal guidelines — children, and bought a house arrest. Judge home in Molalla. All that Brown went further, unraveled last year when questioning what useful federal agents showed up purpose house arrest at his house. would serve if Cobián is Cobián pled guilty in due to be deported any- September to passport way. She sentenced Co- fraud and was released on bián to three years pro- bail pending sentencing. JOSÉ COBIÁN bation instead. Because he was legally un- It was an emotional able to work, his union co- moment for Cobián and two dozen workers stepped forward with dona- supporters from the Carpenters who tions to support him and his family. His wife Maria de Rosario Lucio, who filled the courtroom. Brown said she’d was visiting from Mexico on a tempo- watched the DVD, and told Cobián he rary visa when they met, had been able was fortunate to have so many people to remain in the United States because standing by him. The judge asked Cobián if he had of his supposed citizenship status; now anything to say. that is due to be cancelled as well. “I did something wrong,” Cobián Leading up to his sentencing, Co- bián’s supporters in the union appealed said, “and I’m deeply sorry for that, especially because it hurt so many to Judge Brown for leniency, with let- ters and a DVD of videotaped testimo- people, including my family and co- workers. It’s something I want to teach nials. my kids: If you lie, you’ve got to ac- “I have found him to be a dedi- cated, loyal and hardworking advocate cept the consequences.” For Cobián, the consequences will for the working class … [who] stood almost certainly be a return to Mexico up against the exploitation of workers and ban from ever coming back to the in a very public way,” wrote Pacific United States. Cobián and his union Northwest Regional Council of Car- supporters hope he will be allowed to penters President Bruce Dennis. depart voluntarily with his family “While he may have violated some of rather than be deported under custody. the laws of this country, I feel he has Eight-year-old Alexis Mendoza and embraced the democratic spirit of her four-year-old brother Dante are America.” U.S. citizens by birthright, and have Cobián could have been sentenced never been to Mexico. Cobián is trying to a prison term of six months to two to sell his home, and hopes to use the years for the passport violation. But proceeds to repay his co-workers for Assistant U.S. Attorney Kemp Strick- their support. land, saying Cobián was not consid- Unlike the federal civil case against ered a flight risk and had cooperated at him, Cobián’s Feb. 13 immigration hearing won’t be open to the public. Healthy-Heart Screening for Tradeswomen • Cholesterol (total, HDL) • Blood Pressure • Blood Sugar • Body Fat Measurement • Consultation with nurse about your results • Refreshments, socializing and net- work with other tradeswomen after the screening. This screening made possible through a generous donation by the Women of Good Samaritan. Coordination by Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. Many thanks to our hosts at the HVAC & Metals Institute! www.legacyhealth.org Legacy Heart Services Health Syst Screening Date & Location: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 4:00-7:00 p.m. (Appointments scheduled every 15 minutes) HVAC & Metals Institute 2379 N.E. 178th Portland, Oregon 97230 THESE LEGAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE VERY BEST LAW FIRMS IN OREGON & WASHINGTON. FREE—Appointments required. Spaces are limited. Please call 503- 335-3500 to schedule your appoint- ment and for more information. * Some services not 100% covered NO FASTING REQUIRED. Legacy Health System, a non-profit organization, includes Emanuel Hospital & Health Center, Emanuel Children’s Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center, Meridian Park Hospital, Mount Hood Medical Center, Salmon Creek Hospital, Legacy Clinics and CareMark/Managed HealthCare Northwest PPO. ©2007 PAGE 4 ❖ Unlimited toll-free phone consultation with attorneys. ❖ A comprehensive will with yearly updates is included. ❖ Representation for traffic tickets, accidents, criminal, and civil suits. ❖ Coverage on IRS tax audits. ❖ Divorce, child custody, bank- ruptcy and many more benefits.* NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS CHE-0001 Take a step toward lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke by participating in this FREE, 30-minute screening that includes: L EGAL P ROBLEMS ?? For $16 a month coverage includes: For more information, call 503-760-2456 or toll-free at (888) 252-7930 www.prepaidlegal.com/info/randallnix FEBRUARY 2, 2007
