Thread: Asheville NC Plan aims to punish firms with illegals!

by By Kelby Hartson Carr, KCARR@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
published July 17, 2006 12:15 am

ASHEVILLE - Asheville Councilman Carl Mumpower will present a proposal Tuesday to target businesses that employ illegal immigrants, perhaps by restricting the business licenses of those who do.

Mumpower will make a presentation about local response to illegal immigration at the regular council meeting at 5 p.m. He said he believes the illegal immigrant work force in the area is substantial.

"It's one of the few tools we have to encourage employers to do the right thing, and that to me is the key," he said.

"We have a large population of illegal immigrants in this community, and they're here for a reason and most of them are able to find jobs," he said.

Nora Ardila, a volunteer who helps with WPVM 103.5 FM's Spanish-language programming and who formerly directed the Latino Digital Literacy Project sponsored by WPVM, is concerned.

She said a recent announcement that local law enforcement officers will join forces with federal agents to arrest and deport illegal immigrants plans sounds "pretty extreme."

"I don't think that's a good approach at all," she said.

Ardilo noted that several area businesses would be affected by such an initiative.

"It's going to definitely disrupt the flow of the community," she said.

Mumpower's measures
Mumpower's proposal calls for:


Funding and supporting the transportation to Atlanta of illegal aliens arrested here for breaking the law.


Exploring various options for city enforcement of immigration laws, such as the idea of restricting business licenses of companies that employ illegal immigrants.


Passing a resolution at the local level to send to the local legislative delegation calling for "prompt and meaningful intervention policies with illegal immigrants and those who employ them."

Mumpower readily admits his proposal could shut down some businesses.

"We've got to get people who are employing illegal immigrants to start obeying the law, and use the tools we have," he said.

http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 6607170302

Passing a resolution at the local level to send to the local legislative delegation calling for "prompt and meaningful intervention policies with illegal immigrants and those who employ them."

Mumpower readily admits his proposal could shut down some businesses.

"We've got to get people who are employing illegal immigrants to start obeying the law, and use the tools we have," he said.

It's about time.

She said a recent announcement that local law enforcement officers will join forces with federal agents to arrest and deport illegal immigrants plans sounds "pretty extreme."

"I don't think that's a good approach at all," she said.

This is definitely "pretty extreme".... We wouldn't what to actually enforce the law or anything

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