AIKEN - News of President Bush's proposal to ease restrictions on immigrant workers drew mostly positive response among Hispanic advocates in Aiken, though enthusiasm was tempered by the realities of politics.
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"We have to deal with the immigration problem sooner or later," said David Nieves, a longtime advocate for Hispanics in Aiken County who helped form Latin Voice of Aiken, a social services outreach program for new immigrants.
"I'm hoping the government will take another look at this issue and identify the good, hard-working people that have paid their dues," he said.
But Mr. Nieves was quick to sound this warning: "I'm hoping this is not a political ploy."
Under the proposal, which remains in the earliest stages, illegal immigrants could apply for and receive temporary work permits allowing them to work openly in high-demand job sectors such as landscaping, agriculture, construction and food service without fear of deportation.
The U.S. Census Bureau said there were 3,025 Hispanics living in Aiken County in 2000, but local advocates estimate the true number could be as much as three times that. They say the undercount is due to undocumented workers who resisted being counted in the last census.
Advocates for this largely undocumented working class say such a change could mean a new culture in which Latinos would more openly seek the educational, medical and social services they need.
"I think once people began learning of this, they would come out of the shadows," said Capt. Juan Guadalupe, the commander of the Aiken Salvation Army and a co-founder of Latin Voice of Aiken. "We'll have a better response. People will start asking for help more, and we will be ready for them."
Julio Romero, another local advocate for Hispanics, said too many working class immigrants remain in the shadows and suffer from poor living conditions as a result.
"It's unfortunate that the quality of a life of such a large number of people are hindered on a daily basis because of that (fear)," he said.
Mr. Romero said he had no illusions as to President Bush's motives in this election year.
"I think President Bush is pulling out his aces when he needs to," he said. "It's obviously a political maneuver, but if that's what it takes to get the ball rolling, it truly doesn't matter to me."
"If the president pulls this off, he's going to be very popular with Hispanics," Mr. Nieves said.
Reach Stephen Gurr at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or stephen.gurr@augustachronicle.com.
