Thread: Hispanic group counters illegal immigration proposal

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centr...s/15722878.htmPosted on Tue, Oct. 10, 2006
Hispanic group counters illegal immigration proposal
The Associated Press

ALLENTOWN -- Instead of an ordinance calling for more active enforcement of immigration laws, a Hispanic group proposes one that would declare the city an illegal immigration sanctuary.

The ordinance proposed by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley would put the city on record in support of using the term "undocumented immigrant" rather than "illegal alien."

Like a measure passed May 8 in Cambridge, Mass., it would favor creating opportunities for immigrants to apply for legal permanent resident status.

"These are our huddled masses," said Lazaro Fuentes, chairman of the chamber.

The chamber's proposal was a response to a proposed ordinance by Councilman Louis Hershman, scheduled for discussion at an Oct. 18 City Council meeting, that would call for the city to take a more active role in enforcing federal immigration laws.

That proposal was forwarded to the City Council last Wednesday with a petition signed by 87 residents. If Hershman gets a second sponsor, the measure would be introduced at the Oct. 18 meeting, though it would not be voted on until November.

Fuentes forwarded the chamber's competing proposal to council members Martin Velazquez and Julio Guridy.

"We need to take the high ground and put forth another option to council that helps them to see another way for dealing with the situation," he said.

Fuentes said he wants the city to be seen as a place where immigrants are welcome and have full civil rights.

Guridy said he was reviewing Fuentes' proposal and proposals adopted by Erie, Trenton, N.J., and Princeton, N.J., and planned to introduce some alternative to Hershman's proposal.

Are those people crazy? I guess that they are only attempting to protect their own people. It would be interesting to see if they felt the same if the illegals were Chinese or Greeks?

Why sure they're crazy. I posted it mostly though because here again we see our language, its' words and meanings being attacked, a documented Communist tactic. La Raza must have put out word to get lipstick on the pig for election season.

Last Updated: October 10, 2006
Group seeks illegal immigrant haven
Allentown proposal would push reform and ways for citizenship.
By Scott Kraus Of The Morning Call
Allentown Councilman Louis Hershman has some fresh competition on the issue of illegal immigration.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley has asked Allentown City Council to pass an ordinance declaring the city a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.

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The proposal is diametrically opposed to Hershman's ordinance, which would require the city to take a more active role in enforcing federal immigration laws.

Two members of Hershman's ad-hoc committee on immigration forwarded his proposal to City Council last Wednesday, with a petition signed by 87 residents, in an effort to use a provision of the city's home rule charter to force its consideration.

The petitions were certified Thursday and Hershman's legislation will appear on council's Oct. 18 agenda for discussion. If Hershman can get a second sponsor, the ordinance would be introduced, but would not be voted on until November.

Chamber Chairman Lazaro Fuentes forwarded the chamber's competing proposal to council members Martin Velazquez and Julio Guridy Thursday in reaction to the drive to put Hershman's plan on council's agenda.

''We need to take the high ground and put forth another option to council that helps them to see another way for dealing with the situation,'' Fuentes said.

The chamber's ordinance, modeled after a law passed by Cambridge, Mass., on May 8, would put the city on the record in support of — among other things — creating opportunities for immigrants to apply for legal permanent resident status, and using the term ''undocumented immigrant'' rather than ''illegal alien.''

Around the country, sanctuary cities typically express support for immigration reform that provides illegal immigrants with paths to citizenship and resolve not to spend local resources to aid in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Fuentes said he wants the city to be seen as a place that welcomes immigrants of all varieties and affords them full civil rights.

''These are our huddled masses,'' Fuentes said.

Guridy said he is reviewing Fuentes' proposal and a similar proposal adopted by the city of Erie in Erie County that he received from attorney Robert Nix, chairman of the state Hispanic Bar Association's government relations committee. He also is looking at measures passed by Trenton, N.J., and Princeton, N.J.

He said he plans to introduce some alternative to Hershman's proposal. He would need a second sponsor to get it on the council agenda.

''I have to look and see what is sound for Allentown, because every city is different,'' Guridy said.

Guridy said he doesn't think Hershman's proposal will pass council, but he said the continuing debate over immigration is dividing the city.

''I am looking for ideas,'' Guridy said. ''We have to put a stop to this indefinitely. We can't continue to have this kind of legislation in our city.''

Hershman said he's not going to drop his effort.

''I think I have a better shot at passing mine than he has of his,'' Hershman said.

Velazquez could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

scott.kraus@mcall.com

610-820-6582

WHAT'S NEXT

Allentown City Councilman Louis Hershman's illegal immigration ordinance is scheduled to appear on the Oct. 18 City Council meeting agenda for discussion.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1- ... 7125.story

Fuentes said he wants the city to be seen as a place where immigrants are welcome and have full civil rights.

Why would we want to welcome criminals and continue to give them "rights" they do not respect?

Fuentes said he wants the city to be seen as a place where immigrants are welcome and have full civil rights.

Immigrants are welcome and have full civil rights when they come here legally. Fuentes needs to understand that there is a distinct difference between Legal Immigrants and Illegal Aliens.

Another opportunity for ICE to go out, round up some criminals and deport them? Will it happen?

Of course not. Why? Illegals have a legal voice given to them by our "Democtratic Process".

If this were Mexico, we all know they would be, "arrested and deported without the benefit of judicial process."

Instead of an ordinance calling for more active enforcement of immigration laws, a Hispanic group proposes one that would declare the city an illegal immigration sanctuary.

Apparently they sill have not learned that if you want something from Americans, it's best not to make them angry. And that's exactly what will happen here, another backfire.

ALIPAC Activism and FOCUS Campaigns

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=39335

We need a PUSH on this one! OCT 18th

"The ordinance proposed by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley would put the city on record in support of using the term "undocumented immigrant" rather than "illegal alien."

Illegal criminal alien invader would be much more accurate.