Green Bay
City Council Passes Illegal-Immigrant License Rule

April 19, 2007 06:23 AM PDT

By Chris Duffy

Tuesday night, the Green Bay city council voted it will use its licensing power to crack down on illegal immigration.

Effective immediately, three businesses have their liquor licenses renewed with the stipulation that they will not hire illegal aliens, and if they're caught doing so, their license will be surrendered.

The city council debated the issue for almost two hours, but in the end city leaders decided they want to set an example.

When discussion first broke out, some city leaders were worried about how people from other communities would perceive tonight's measure.

"I'm very concerned about what this says about our community," city alder Celestine Jeffrys said.

Jeffrys voiced concern because the city of Green Bay is duplicating laws that are already in place. "That," she said, "is a federal problem."

But other city leaders say the federal law isn't being enforced as well as it should, and it's time for Green Bay to step up.

"What does it say about our community if we try to enforce it? It says that our community is off limits for those who break the laws," alder Guy Zima said.

"And I am tired of people breaking the law and thinking it's no big deal," City Council President Chad Fradette said.

"The people in the city of Green Bay, especially over on the east side, are sick and tired of it. They do see a problem, and it's up to us to handle it," alder Andy Nicholson said.

In the end, it passed unanimously, 12-0.

Now three Green Bay businesses are required to surrender their liquor licenses if they hire an illegal immigrant. And early next month, a city advisory committee will discuss making permanent changes to the existing city ordinance. Those changes would require every business with a Green Bay city license to abide by this new stipulation.







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