Thread: Louisville KY: Proposal might ignite immigration battle

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Hawkins' proposal might ignite immigration battle

Some council members express doubts on plan
By Sheldon S. Shafer
sshafer@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal


The Louisville Metro Council yesterday began what may be a long and bitter debate over a measure by council member Doug Hawkins urging the city to adopt policies to deal with illegal immigrants seeking city services.

Hawkins, R-25th District, strongly defended his resolution but appears headed for a showdown with majority Democrats on the council.

Council member Bob Henderson, D-14th District, said he feared Hawkins was on a "witch hunt."

Said council member Judy Green, D-1st: "We need to tread lightly and not step on the rights of anyone."

But Hawkins said he had no intention of going after "people who are here legally and abide by the rules."

The discussion came at a meeting of the council's government administration committee, which is considering the resolution that Hawkins introduced earlier this month.

It urges the city to adopt policies to deal with illegal immigrants who seek city services and benefits.

While the resolution would not be binding, Hawkins plans to follow it up with an ordinance that would have the force of law and put some limits on services illegal immigrants can obtain. He said he is still working on its details.

Committee Chairman Kelly Downard, R-16th, said the measure may remain in committee for four to six weeks before it is sent to the full council for final action. He said he wants to hear testimony from police, immigration officials and others.

"This topic is very serious," Downard said, adding that Louisville shouldn't "choose to be a sanctuary city for persons breaking the law."

Hawkins acknowledged that he isn't certain how big a problem Louisville has with illegal immigrants.

About a dozen opponents of his measure attended yesterday's committee meeting, carrying signs that read, "Immigrants work for Kentucky" and "Immigrants pay taxes."

Felix Garza of the Hispanic Latino Coalition said he feared the measure would divide the community and seem to "blame immigrants for all of society's problems."

"Immigrants are not a burden to the community," he said. "They contribute, work hard for wages and are here to make a living for themselves."

Theresa Butler, a member of St. William Catholic Church, which advocates for immigrant issues, said Hawkins seems to be "profiling people. … His arguments aren't valid."

Hawkins said he wouldn't deny anyone emergency or protective services, such as those rendered by police, fire or EMS. And, he said, he wouldn't bar anyone from a metro park or refuse to pick up their garbage.

But he said it's a legitimate question whether illegal immigrants should be treated at metro health clinics or receive job training, housing and other assistance.

Federal law prohibits illegal immigrants from being denied a grade-school education, emergency health care, immunizations if they have communicable diseases, emergency food assistance and emergency disaster relief.

Hawkins' resolution calls for all city departments to have policies on which services and benefits may be withheld from illegal immigrants and for metro employees to be trained in how to identify false documents such as forged Social Security cards.

The resolution also urges the city to sign an agreement with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that would allow the city access to a federal database on illegal immigrants who have outstanding warrants or are wanted for crimes.

It calls for metro police and corrections staff to be trained in how to access the federal database to detect illegal immigrants in their custody. If the individuals have outstanding warrants, they can be transferred to federal custody.

Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson's administration has expressed serious doubts about Hawkins' proposal, asking how it would be possible to draw the line in deciding which services to withhold. And at their caucus meeting last Thursday, Democratic Metro Council members criticized Hawkins for his effort.

Hawkins was adamant in an interview yesterday that he has "no intention of dropping anything. If the Democrats want to vote it down, let them vote it down."

He said "the community is 100 percent behind me. I have never had such an overwhelmingly positive response to anything I've ever done."

Reporter Sheldon S. Shafer can be reached at (502) 582-7089.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 008/NEWS01


Comment section at link. Requires registration.

Cities all across the country have already showed the no problem sign in black and white !!!
Louisville Metro Council needs to pick it up and read it !!!

Originally Posted by Nouveauxpoor

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Hawkins' proposal might ignite immigration battle

Title by liberal fishwrapper affectionately known as The Courier Urinal here. Immigrants should go about their business while we deal with an invasion of foreign nationals not lawfully present.

Some council members express doubts on plan


By Sheldon S. Shafer
sshafer@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

The Louisville Metro Council yesterday began what may be a long and bitter debate over a measure by council member Doug Hawkins urging the city to adopt policies to deal with illegal immigrants seeking city services.

Hawkins, R-25th District, strongly defended his resolution but appears headed for a showdown with majority Democrats on the council.

Council member Bob Henderson, D-14th District, said he feared Hawkins was on a "witch hunt."

Too much Halloween Bob? I've sent you hundreds of articles. You'll have to plead stupid. I know you're not ignorant.

Said council member Judy Green, D-1st: "We need to tread lightly and not step on the rights of anyone."

Doesn't she just make you proud the way she oozes confidance.

But Hawkins said he had no intention of going after "people who are here legally and abide by the rules."

Exactly. He's a decent, moral guy concerned for his constituents.

The discussion came at a meeting of the council's government administration committee, which is considering the resolution that Hawkins introduced earlier this month.

It urges the city to adopt policies to deal with illegal immigrants who seek city services and benefits.

While the resolution would not be binding, Hawkins plans to follow it up with an ordinance that would have the force of law and put some limits on services illegal immigrants can obtain. He said he is still working on its details.

Committee Chairman Kelly Downard, R-16th, said the measure may remain in committee for four to six weeks before it is sent to the full council for final action. He said he wants to hear testimony from police, immigration officials and others.

"This topic is very serious," Downard said, adding that Louisville shouldn't "choose to be a sanctuary city for persons breaking the law."

Our community "deals" with crime by coverup. Downard supports law enforcement and has fought the coverup for many years.

Hawkins acknowledged that he isn't certain how big a problem Louisville has with illegal immigrants.

That's a problem. Citizens of Metro should have an accounting of the costs of illegal invasion here.

About a dozen opponents of his measure attended yesterday's committee meeting, carrying signs that read, "Immigrants work for Kentucky" and "Immigrants pay taxes."

There must not be a translation for "illegal." Nobody cares to bother immigrants

Felix Garza of the Hispanic Latino Coalition said he feared the measure would divide the community and seem to "blame immigrants for all of society's problems."

Your community is already divided Garza. Foreign nationals unlawfully present outnumber legal immigrants two to one according to Courier Urinal last year. Legal immigrants know it's not fair

"Immigrants are not a burden to the community," he said. "They contribute, work hard for wages and are here to make a living for themselves."

Illegal aliens are something different though.

Theresa Butler, a member of St. William Catholic Church, which advocates for immigrant issues, said Hawkins seems to be "profiling people. … His arguments aren't valid."

Where did he profile by submitting a resolution. There's no argument. Illegal aliens don't get benefits of citizens.

Hawkins said he wouldn't deny anyone emergency or protective services, such as those rendered by police, fire or EMS. And, he said, he wouldn't bar anyone from a metro park or refuse to pick up their garbage.

But he said it's a legitimate question whether illegal immigrants should be treated at metro health clinics or receive job training, housing and other assistance.

Federal law prohibits illegal immigrants from being denied a grade-school education, emergency health care, immunizations if they have communicable diseases, emergency food assistance and emergency disaster relief.

Hawkins' resolution calls for all city departments to have policies on which services and benefits may be withheld from illegal immigrants and for metro employees to be trained in how to identify false documents such as forged Social Security cards.

It's about time.

The resolution also urges the city to sign an agreement with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that would allow the city access to a federal database on illegal immigrants who have outstanding warrants or are wanted for crimes.

It calls for metro police and corrections staff to be trained in how to access the federal database to detect illegal immigrants in their custody. If the individuals have outstanding warrants, they can be transferred to federal custody.

It's about time.

Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson's administration has expressed serious doubts about Hawkins' proposal, asking how it would be possible to draw the line in deciding which services to withhold. And at their caucus meeting last Thursday, Democratic Metro Council members criticized Hawkins for his effort.

[color=blue]email from Mayor last year: "I often use the terms “residentsâ€

I left a comment beause I think Kentucky has a hugh influx of Illegals and need all the support they can get to nip this in the bud before they become a sanctuary state against their citizens wishes !