http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2006 ... 852493.txt

Saturday, September 9, 2006 9:12 PM CDT
Brunch address promotes humanitarianism for immigrants

By Laura Rineer
lrineer@pantagraph.com


BLOOMINGTON -- One common myth people believe about immigrants is that they are more likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens, Kim Reed said.

“But studies show … it was more likely that people who had been in the country for years would commit crimes than those who had newly arrived,” she said.

Reed, chairwoman of the League of Women Voters of Illinois’ immigration study, addressed the McLean County league at a brunch Saturday. She called for a more accepting attitude toward immigrants and developing ways to assimilate them into U.S. society.

“What is our first cause? To be humanitarian, or to do what is best for the United States?” she asked. “Sometimes they’re the same, other times they’re conflicting.”

The long-term study, which began in 2005, will explore history, current immigration law, attitudes toward immigrants and potential reforms.

“It (immigration) is an overwhelming issue,” she said. “It’s a global problem. It (the study) gives us an opportunity to think beyond our own borders. And there are things we can address on the state level.”

The McLean County chapter of the organization will participate in the study in January. The state group will send the local chapter a list of questions for discussion.

The chapter members will debate the topics until they reach a consensus, then they will send the responses to the state study group.

“This is not a new issue for the state. Every one of us here can go back, and we were all immigrants at some point,” she said.

Reed said immigration and naturalization laws have changed over the years, as have communities’ acceptance of immigrants.

“People are sometimes angry that this population is being dumped on them,” she said. “But it’s our responsibility to take care of them.”

Reed offered solutions for consideration, such as education for the community, counseling services and preventive health care for immigrants and other efforts to assimilate both legal and illegal immigrants.

“It’s kind of controversial, but should noncitizens be allowed to vote in local elections?” she asked. “Should an ordinance be passed that penalizes landlords for renting to undocumented immigrants? What is the state’s response?”

Julia Turner, co-president of the local chapter, said past consensus meetings have covered a range of topics, including education, finance, urban planning and jail alternatives.

“It (immigration) is a hot topic,” she said. “But any initiative starts with a study. Nothing is just off the hip.”