"I could also go around and create a nightmare for the city, a huge nightmare for the city"


Guridy seeks compromise on immigration
City councilman calls his proposal alternative to Hershman's plan.
By Scott Kraus Of The Morning Call Allentown City Councilman Julio Guridy plans to offer a middle-ground alternative to Councilman Lou Hershman's immigration enforcement ordinance in the ongoing debate over what, if anything, to do about illegal immigration.

Guridy sent an e-mail to fellow members last week, warning that if they support Hershman's ordinance, he would be forced to offer a polarizing competing proposal that would lead to upheaval and division over the emotional issue.

Guridy said he received some expressions of support from his colleagues, but not as much as he expected.

''I am trying to get a middle ground type of legislation that is not offensive to anyone, first of all, and that we can all live with,'' Guridy said.

Guridy's resolution stops short of declaring Allentown a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants, a move recommended last week by Lazaro Fuentes, chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley. Instead, the resolution makes a symbolic statement in support of immigrants' rights.

The Chamber's ordinance would put the city on the record in support of — among other things — creating opportunities for immigrants to apply for legal permanent resident status.

Guridy's proposal puts Allentown on record against tough federal legislation that would build a border fence and make aiding illegal immigrants a criminal offense and declares that immigration enforcement is a federal issue.

It also commits the city to using the term ''undocumented immigrants'' rather than ''illegal aliens'' and expresses gratitude for the contributions of all immigrants to the city over the years, from Pennsylvania Germans to Latinos.

Guridy said he intends to bring his proposed resolution before council within the next few weeks.

Hershman's ordinance is scheduled for introduction and discussion at Wednesday's City Council meeting. It is less sweeping than his original call for sanctions against employers and landlords who hire and rent to illegal immigrants — a plan modeled after a similar proposal passed, and then recast, in Hazleton.

The new ordinance calls for the city to devote Police Department resources to the active enforcement of federal immigration laws.

''As an elected official, I took an oath of office to uphold the laws of our country, and illegal immigration violates the laws of our country,'' Hershman said.

Although his proposal is scheduled for discussion Wednesday, Hershman said he is asking Council President David M. Howells Sr. to set aside an additional date for discussion and a vote on the issue. Howells said no decision has been made.

Fuentes said he supports Guridy's proposal, even though it doesn't go as far as the sanctuary city proposal. The important thing to Chamber members, Fuentes said, is that the city not waste any of its scarce resources trying to enforce federal immigration laws when its police force is having trouble staying on top of the crime problem.

He said that in a sense, Allentown is already a sanctuary city because it passed an ordinance declaring itself one in the mid-1980s.

''Our mention of sanctuary has to do with the fact that the city has been one for 20 years and that is a better way to frame the debate … a lot of people in what they are writing are equating crime with Hispanics, and undocumented immigrants, and we're Hispanic,'' Fuentes said.

On Nov. 19, 1986, City Council passed a resolution declaring that ''the city of Allentown shall become a Sanctuary City'' recognizing efforts by the Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting and Lehigh Valley Sanctuary Support Group's efforts to offer safe homes to refugees from El Salvador and Guatemala, even if they hadn't been granted ''political refugee'' status by the U.S. government.

Guridy said his threat to stir up dissent was just a nod to the large number of people in the city who strongly oppose Hershman's plan.

''I could also go around and create a nightmare for the city, a huge nightmare for the city,'' Guridy said. ''And you know I could do it, stir up things if I want to. I do have the capability to do it, but I chose to do the opposite. Lou made his choice of wanting to be famous, like [Hazleton Mayor] Lou Barletta.''

Hershman said he's not looking for fame, just trying to represent the concerns of his own constituents.

''I expected something from Julio like this,'' Hershman said.



IMMIGRATION ALTERNATIVE

Proposal by Allentown City Councilman Julio Guridy in response to colleague Lou Hershman's immigration enforcement ordinance:

Expresses opposition to H.R. 4377, federal legislation that boosts border security and cracks down on illegal immigrants, making it a crime to assist them.

Recognizes immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and urges fair, compassionate federal legislation to reform immigration policy.

Requires city to use term ''undocumented immigrant'' rather than ''illegal alien.''

Expresses gratitude for contributions of all immigrants to the city.

Source: Julio Guridy
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1- ... 2650.story