Nuggets forward Eduardo Najera supports Monday’s nationwide pro-immigrant boycott but doesn’t feel comfortable joining participants in ditching work. Work for Najera means a crucial Game 5 against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
“I’ve got a different job,” Najera said Saturday. “I support the people 100 percent. At the same time, this is my life. I can’t. If it was a normal job, maybe. But this is a different type of deal.
“Right now, I’m so focused. It’s hard. But I’m not the only Mexican who has a high position in some sort of corporation. I’ve just got to concentrate on my job right now.
“I don’t think myself missing my job is going to help speed up the process or convince somebody.”
Organizers have planned marches and boycotts for Monday urging immigrants to take a day off from work or school. They are also protesting legislation currently before Congress that tightens U.S. immigration policy. Organizers hope to legalize most of the nation’s estimated 11.5 million illegal immigrants, increase family visas and expand guest-worker programs.
According to the Los Angeles Times, marches, rallies and other events are scheduled in at least 68 cities across 23 states, including two marches in greater Los Angeles that are expected to attract huge crowds.
Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Martha Rubi supported Najera’s decision to play.
“That’s his commitment,” Rubi said. “He has to play. He has a responsibility to his team.”
Najera will not take part in the marches and parades while in Los Angeles but feels strongly about the cause. The Chihuahua, Mexico, native is the only Mexican in the NBA.
“Obviously, there are a lot of immigrants in the United States, especially a lot of Mexicans,” Najera said. “I believe these people contribute to this economy, this society. And these people are afraid just walking down the streets.
“They want to take their fears away and they want to be legal here. And I don’t blame them.”
Najera, who has had a visa since he was 4 years old, has not had a problem maintaining it while playing collegiately at Oklahoma and in the NBA. But he knows the majority of immigrants aren’t as lucky.
“If I wasn’t educated like I am right now and didn’t know the language, it would be very, very tough for me to get across (the border),” said Najera. “But I would find a way. Why? There are better opportunities here for me and my family.”
Najera doesn’t agree with schoolkids taking time off from school to take part.
“That’s not good for them,” he said.
Najera said he plans eventually to get dual Mexican-American citizenship for his two young children.
He said he has no intention of pursuing American citizenship at this time but also said he may change his mind down the road.
“I want to remain 100 percent Mexican,” he said.
“Just playing for the national team (in basketball) and being part of my country, that’s important for me.”
