Green Bay police say federal officials urged against enforcing 2007 immigration ordinance
By Scott Williams • swilliams@greenbaypressgazette.com • May 10, 2010

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Long before Arizona's controversial crackdown on illegal immigration, the city of Green Bay stirred debate with its own move to combat the problem locally.


But three years after the city passed an ordinance aimed at cracking down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants, it has yet to be invoked.
Questions about the city's legal authority on immigration continue to cloud the situation.

Green Bay police Lt. Jim Runge said the ordinance "fell by the wayside" because federal authorities cautioned the city against enforcing it.
"They told us, 'Don't touch that. Don't even go near it,'" Runge said. "They don't want locals dealing with any of the immigration stuff."
But some aldermen say they still support the ordinance passed in June 2007 and they would like to know more about why there has been no sign of enforcement.

Alderman Chris Wery said he was never informed that police officials were warned against following through.
"If they're not doing anything about it, that's probably why we're not hearing anything," he said.

The City Council voted nearly three years ago to authorize city officials to withhold or repeal a license or permit from any business found to be employing workers who are in the country illegally. Known as the Citizen and Legal Immigrant Protection Act, the ordinance stirred harsh criticism from opponents, some of whom labeled it a "witch hunt."

But with the backing of Mayor Jim Schmitt, the council voted 9-2 to pass the measure, making Green Bay, by some accounts, the first city in Wisconsin to tackle illegal immigration at a local level.

When the ordinance was being considered, Green Bay area restaurant owner Maria Sandoval was called before a City Council committee for a review of her business.


But when Sandoval showed up with a lawyer who accused the city of intimidation tactics, aldermen dropped the matter.

City officials said no business owner has lost a license or permit under the ordinance, and those seeking licenses or permits are not required to demonstrate compliance with immigration laws other than to show valid identification.

City Attorney Allison Swanson said the ordinance still could be used — but only after federal officials have proven illegal immigrants were employed there.
"What the feds are saying is, 'Cities, don't go out there looking for federal law violations,'" Swanson said.

Aldermen, however, said they took action precisely because the federal government was too slow to identify and process suspected illegal immigrants.
Wery said Arizona's new law — making it a crime to be in Arizona illegally and authorizing police to check a person's immigration papers — demonstrates there is a place for local or state action.
If other cities and states passed measures, he said, it might "wake the feds up."

Alderman Steven Deneys questioned why federal authorities would take an interest in whether Green Bay enforced its own ordinances.
Saying that he, too, still supports the city's measure, Deneys echoed that it was intended partly to prompt stronger federal enforcement.
"Nothing ever gets done," he said of federal immigration action. "It's all talk, and nothing ever comes of it."



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