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Final immigration report due Monday
Updated: 1/21/2007 5:39:13 PM
By: Kate Barker


CHARLOTTE -- A final report on the impact of immigration in the Charlotte-area is due out Monday.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory started his Immigration Study Commission one year ago. It’s the only task force of its kind in the entire country, and it's designed to measure the impact that immigration – both legal and illegal – has on our public safety, economy, education and healthcare.

Wayne Cooper is one of 28 members of the mayor's Immigration Study Commission. He is also the honorary consul to Mexico and sat down with News 14 Carolina reporter Kate Barker Sunday to discuss the commission's final report.

“The more we can talk about (the issues), we have a better chance of solving the problem,” Cooper explained. “Other cities around the country are looking to see what we are doing here.”

The report includes 26 recommendations to help elected officials deal with issues surrounding immigration. The task force wants a federal immigration court built in Charlotte. The closest office now is in Atlanta.

“The easier we make it, the more chance they will show up for court,” Cooper said.

Other suggestions include a bigger jail for Mecklenburg County.

“We need to get gang members and criminal elements off the street,” Cooper continued.

Some task force members would like to see any undocumented immigrants convicted of a DWI deported immediately.

“We do not want to see DWI drivers on the streets. That affects all our families,” Cooper added.

The commission would also like to see more first responders – emergency workers -- and healthcare providers speak Spanish.


Wayne Cooper
“The more people that can speak a second language, the better we can serve the people,” Cooper said.

While Cooper discussed a handful of the recommendations Sunday, he says he encourages everyone in Charlotte to read the report in full and adds that not everyone on the task force always agreed. Those disagreements are reflected in the final report.

“Mayor McCrory stepped in and said, ‘I see we should put in the report that we dissent,’ and I think that is stroke of genius,” Cooper acknowledged.

One thing everyone on the commission does agree on is that the task force is a step in the right direction and more cities should follow Charlotte's lead.

The report will be presented to the Charlotte City Council Monday night at 7 p.m.