GOP Presidential Candidate John Cox Speaks Out On Arellano Arrest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Laura Grock/Martin Janis & Co.
(312) 943-1106

Monday, August 20, 2007

(CHICAGO, IL) - Elvira Arellano, the illegal immigrant who took refuge in a church to avoid prosecution, was arrested Sunday afternoon outside Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Los Angeles and deported several hours later. "Finally, we have justice for the American people and for the millions of legal immigrants who come into this country legally," said GOP presidential candidate John Cox. "We need to honor those who wait in line and send home the people who have cut in line."

Cox believes that the U.S. needs to streamline its current immigration law to give those waiting in line to enter the U.S. the opportunity to become law-abiding, productive U.S. citizens rather than reward law breakers with citizenship or amnesty.

The Arellano's case has made national headlines, stirring both sides of the immigration debate. Public opinion has weighed clearly against Arellano, 32, who has been arrested numerous times since she entered the United States. Arellano came to Washington illegally in 1997. She was deported to Mexico shortly after, but returned and moved to Illinois in 2000, taking a job cleaning planes at O'Hare International Airport. She was arrested in 2002 at O'Hare and convicted of working under a false Social Security number. She was to surrender to authorities last year. Instead, she sought refuge at the storefront church on Chicago's West Side on Aug. 15, 2006. She had not left the church property until she decided to travel by car to Los Angeles Sunday. Proponents of Arellano's cause have appealed to the public's compassion citing her eight year old son.

"Arellano has broken the law a couple of times now. Yet there are those that still view her sympathetically," said Cox. "I think we should have more sympathy for the millions of people around the world waiting their turn to come to the United States legally. That, in my opinion, is true compassion."

Cox's campaign recently released a viral music video that takes aim at illegal immigration. The video can be accessed at www.youtube.com/user/CoxForPresident2008. If you are interested in having John Cox on as a guest commentator on this issue, please call Laura Grock at (312) 943-1106.

ABOUT JOHN COX

John H. Cox, 52, is the first announced Republican candidate for President in 2008. A self-made millionaire businessman and attorney, Cox made his fortune running successful companies in real estate, law, and venture capital. He helped turn around major potato chip manufacturer, Jays Foods, saving hundreds of jobs and turning millions of dollars in loss into profit. He served on the steering committee for Jack Kemp for President and on the boards of charitable organizations, such as the USO. He is a former president of the Cook County Republican Party in Illinois.

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