June 18, 2025

A Community Divided by Lawlessness

By Joann Lijek, 40 year resident of Bishop and Old Timer

This letter is a response to yesterday’s screed by Jose Garcia. I will try to be brief and address each paragraph written by Garcia. I will say in advance that I am deeply disturbed by his article because he is a member of our Bishop City Council and this writing exposes him as a politician whose agenda is to help his particular ethnic group, which actually wouldn’t be that bad of a thing if his folks were here legally, but what he is trying to do is help them stay here illegally, which I don’t believe is going to work out in his favor, and especially not in favor of the illegal aliens. It is really sad that these poor people have been mislead by politicians like Garcia into thinking that by some miracle they won’t get deported.

As a politico, Mr. Garcia should know the law, the Constitution, the Amendments, etc. His first paragraph is entirely inapplicable to the population he is supporting. Illegal immigrants are being denied benefits for the reason that they are not here legally. They need to go back to their home country and apply for benefits. Title VI does not apply to illegal immigrants. President Johnson clearly states “many Americans do not enjoy those rights.” It is clear that Johnson is referring to US Citizens, not Central or South Americans or Canadians. It is not discrimination to deport people that are in the country illegally, they come in all races and colors, their only common trait is they shouldn’t be here. Since Mr. Garcia is talking about being denied benefits, I will mention that California has been and still is giving illegal immigrants medical benefits, food stamps, AFDC, etc. Is he worried this will stop? I am ready to stop paying taxes to the State of California because of this, it also sounds like the Federal government will stop subsidies, and that in turn will hurt our lawful citizens who deserve these benefits and services. Oh, but it would be “ILLEGAL” for me to not pay my state and local taxes, and you bet I would get in trouble. But, Mr. Garcia would lead you to believe that entering a country with the intent of living there, without permission and papers, is, “NOTHING”,  perfectly okay, etc. My sarcasm is boundless.

Law abiding people that are in the U.S. legally have nothing to fear from immigration raids. I must assume that those living in fear have broken the law and continue to break the law every single day that they remain in this country. If these folks had the resources to come here, I would assume they can gather their resources to go back home. If I had moved to a foreign country illegally I would expect to have to be looking over my shoulder constantly, just waiting to be caught, just like any other criminal on the run.

Garcia’s next paragraph seems to reek of treason; “organizing rapid response networks” , “creating safe spaces”. What does that mean? Tipping off illegals when ICE is coming? Helping them hide? Is this appropriate for a Public Official? I think not at all, not in a million years…. I guess Jose has aspirations to higher office in California, but hopefully by the next election or two the fraud that has been occurring will be cleaned up, and I hope for him that he kept his Mexican citizenship, maybe he could be a winner there.

Next paragraph refers to why people live in the area, I would specifically refer to the part about “seeking refuge from prosecution”. Ouch, sounds like a Freudian slip to me Jose. Yes, so many of the people here illegally are fleeing prosecution, from other cities, states, or countries. They came in illegally, no one really knows who they are, except themselves, and that might even be doubtful.

The next few paragraphs are hard to address, as they are basically just crying and whining. The economic impact of businesses staying closed because they hire illegals and their employees are afraid to come to work does not and will not affect me. Bishop is half dead anymore anyway, I don’t need take out food to survive. If Jose is talking about tax revenue, that’s going to take awhile to be felt, I doubt McDonalds will close permanently, but their food has become so crummy and expensive I personally don’t care if they do.  I wish I could buy a pair of socks or underwear without having to drive to Gardnerville. Good job City Council, your work is turning Bishop into a wasteland.

One more thing, the part about the “emotional trauma” to every single member of the community if someone gets deported, I think not, nor does everyone have emotional trauma if they can’t get a sweet roll.

To close, Jose Garcia, your friends would be better off if you started helping them do the right paperwork to either self deport or stay if they legally qualify, instead of writing emotionally charged letters to the news media. Oh, and I hope that you aren’t going to do it on the taxpayer’s dime. Sitting around crying the blues isn’t going to help anyone.