Thread: MD: Anti-illegal immigration group wants names of businesses

Anti-illegal immigration group wants names of businesses from labor centers

Kathleen Miller, The Examiner
2007-08-01 15:47:00.0


Montgomery County -
Representatives from a Montgomery County anti-illegal immigration group say they will try to use a federal law to obtain the names and addresses of businesses employing day laborers at county-funded centers.

Brad Botwin, founder of Help Save Maryland, said he will deliver a Freedom of Information Act request for the business and worker information to County Executive Ike Leggett’s office today.

The U.S. Congress approved the FOIA in 1966 to give the public greater access to government records.

“We’re asking for a list of all the employers that have used the centers in Rockville and Silver Spring and Wheaton,â€

[quote]“We don’t believe instruments like FOIA were created by Congress to allow hate groups to harass private individuals,â€

[quote]“We don’t believe instruments like FOIA were created by Congress to allow hate groups to harass private individuals,â€

This is a very smart idea. We will pass it around.

Hate groups? What a joke.

Besides, companies are not "individuals" and are subject to citizen and governmental revue and policies.

W

the only issues that most of have is that these people are in our country illegally and using resources that were set up for americans. america cannot continue to support any and everyone. We don't have the resources and we shouldn't have to continue to borrow from other nations to provide benefits for illegals.

Immigration Protesters Rally In Maryland
Group Claims Immigrants Drain Social Services

POSTED: 6:33 pm EDT August 1, 2007
UPDATED: 8:51 pm EDT August 1, 2007


ROCKVILLE, MD. -- The immigration debate in Montgomery County gathered steam Wednesday, as anti-immigration protesters demanded answers from local officials.

Protesters said they wanted more information from county officials about how tax dollars are being used.

The protesters, members of a group called Help Save Maryland, claim undocumented workers are sapping the county's social services system.

The group also opposes day laborer centers funded by the county.

The quiet protest began on a strip of sidewalk outside the Montgomery County Executive Building, with protesters waving banners of discontent.

"The county refuses to review how many illegal immigants are in our schools, how many illegal immigrants are using housing funding, food stamps," protester Brad Botwin said.

Another member of Help Save Maryland said the group is asking County Executive Ike Leggett and other elected officials to enforce the law.

"Quit spending our tax dollars on illegal immigrants and stop spending tax dollars on things that shouldn't be spent on," said protester Chuck Floyd.

Roughly 10 miles across the county in Silver Spring, immigrants gathered at a county-funded advocacy center for jobs, career counseling and legal support.

Marta, from Nicaragua, needed help renewing her green card.

"The people here are here to work and they are honest people," immigrant Roberto Gutierrez said.

But protesters argue that work ethic is not their issue.

They want information. And they headed to the county building to get it, with a Freedom of Information request in hand.

"The taxpayers are paying for the day labor centers that the contractors should be accountable to the county and provide this information," Botwin said. "This is public information."

But Kim Propeack, who heads the county's immigrant advocacy center, said the protesters were abusing the Freedom of Information Act.

"We don't believe Congress designed the FOIA to be used by hate groups to harass private people," she said.

Some in the immigrant community fear dramatic next steps, but county officials said the current policy is working.

Members of Help Save Maryland said they take issue with being called a hate group. They maintain they are concerned citizens who simply want answers.

County officials provided some of those answers Wednesday.

The county says that its advocacy center received $2.3 million from Montgomery County's $4 billion budget this fiscal year.

County officials also said they would provide Help Save Maryland any information that the Freedom of Information Act requires.

http://www.nbc4.com/news/13801122/detail.html

"The people here are here to work and they are honest people," immigrant Roberto Gutierrez said.

...if you are here ILEGALLY you are lawless, and a criminal...PERIOD! That does not translate to honesty. It breeds a mindset and culture of distain for the law. Let me say it again...that does not translate to honesty...PERIOD!

CASA of Maryland is receiving Federal and State Tax funding. Brad Botwin of Help Save Maryland should drop the request and Demand the list! There is a stench that permeates around this organization and it should be investigated and audited to see where Federal and State Tax funding is being spent.

CASA of Maryland Executive Director Gustavo Torres said he did not believe his organization would be required to turn over the identities of day laborers.

Federal lawmakers will soon vote on a bill that includes grants totaling $600,000 to fight gangs in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced this week.

The funding includes $275,000 for the Montgomery and Prince George's gang task force; $200,000 for CASA de Maryland, an immigrant advocacy group; and $125,000 for the City of Gaithersburg.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01299.html

Duncan to Join CASA of Maryland, Federal, State

and Local Officials at Grand Opening of

CASA Community Center at Pine Ridge
Wednesday, February 22, 2006

11 a.m.Pine Ridge Apartments

8615 Piney Branch Road

Room 2

Silver Spring, MD
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan will join CASA of Maryland Executive Director Gustavo Torrres, U.S. Congressman Albert Wynn, U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and County Council President George Leventhal to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new community center in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring. County, State and Federal funding is supporting this center where computer training, language skills, health promotion and citizenship classes will be offered.

http://www.casademaryland.org/press/feb21-2006.htm

I can’t seem to find C.A.S.A FED IC number anywhere. Another question would be if they are getting involved politically would they not then be considered a PAC and have to report all contributions over $200 and be limited to 5,000? I found the list of contributors and funders a little surprising, except of courses State Farm.


On behalf of C.A.S.A.'s Board of directors, volunteers, and staff, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following organizations for their financial support.
Thank You for Helping us Help Others!
Funders:
Miami-Dade - OCED
DHS (Department of Human Services)
Florida Department of Education
Governor's Florida Literacy Innitiative
Alliance for Human Services
Dade Community Foundation
Esperanza USA
Hispanics in Philanthropy
HUF (Hispanic United Fund)
United Way
The Broatman Foundation of California
Mark J. Gordon Foundattion

Corporate Funding

Ford
BellSouth
Washington Mutual
Baptist Health South Florida
Greenberg Traurig
AFIF
State Farm (AGAIN!)
Dosal Tabacco
Akerman, Senterfitt & Edison, PA
ALERIANT
+1-2-3

Collaborative Partners:

US HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Miami Dade Board of County Commissioners
Florida International University
FAU Small Business Development Center
Hands on Miami (HOM) & United Way
Unilatina Business School
IRC (International Rescue Committee)
Human Service Coalition
Miami Sunset Adult Center
Habitat for Humanity
United Way International
Partners of the Americas