11/29/2006 4:01:00 AM
City seeks stronger enforcement on illegal immigration

By CINDY BARKS
The Daily Courier

PRESCOTT * With encouragement from a number of local residents, an Arizona State Representative and a representative-elect, the Prescott City Council urged the federal government this week to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the council approved a resolution that calls for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

Among other things, the resolution urges the federal government to secure U.S. borders, to deny amnesty to illegal immigrants, and to enact laws that allow further local and state involvement in enforcement of immigration matters.

The document maintains that "an unknown number of illegal immigrants estimated to be from eight to 12 million" have created a "dangerous and intolerable situationŠ"

Therefore, the resolution adds, the federal government should "move expeditiously to seal our borders against this flood of illegal immigrants, criminals and terrorists, and to employ all practical and legal measures required to achieve this end."

While the strongly worded document generated opposition at last week's study session, much of the discussion at this week's voting session was supportive.

On hand at the meeting were Arizona Rep. Lucy Mason and Rep.-elect Andy Tobin, both of whom maintained that the resolution would be helpful to let state and federal officials know about the local plight over illegal immigration.

"From the state perspective, we want to hear what your concerns are," Mason said, noting that the city's resolution should be "an honest letter about what you're dealing with."

Added Mason: "This is not something that one council has control over, but together, we do make a difference. I hope other councils around the state will follow your example."

Tobin also voiced support for the city's resolution. "I wanted to applaud the council for taking the steps," he said, adding that * along with supplying information about the local impacts * the resolution shows "resolve" by the city.

Several residents voiced similar sentiments. Albert F. Rodriguez, a retired Army colonel, offered statistics relating to the number of murders that illegal immigrants reportedly commit in the U.S. He maintained that such murders far out-number the death toll among the U.S. military fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Thank you for what you're doing," Rodriguez concluded in his remarks to the council. "Very few cities are taking that action."

But along with support for the resolution, Tuesday's meeting also generated concerns.

James Quinlan, for instance, noted that "statistics by themselves can be dangerous, misleading, and really uninformative."

Responding to Mason's comments about the need for specific information, Quinlan urged the city to quantify the local impacts. "How has this impacted this city?" he asked, maintaining that the city should compare crime rates among illegal immigrants with similar rates among other residents. "We all know that crime wasn't invented by illegal immigrants," Quinlan added.

Sister Anne Fitzsimons said the resolution includes "exaggerations and misconceptions" about illegal immigrants. Being of Irish descent, she said she knows "there are many Irish people here illegally." But Fitzsimons added, "I would be very slow to call them all criminals or terrorists. Many are good, decent people who want to earn a living."

Her comments elicited a response from other speakers, however, on the status of illegal immigrants. "They are criminals, period," area resident Lou Smith said. "They broke the law to get here."

Councilman Jim Lamerson, who earlier voiced strong support for the resolution, agreed. "There's rules to be followed, and when it's illegal, it's illegal," he said.



Contact the reporter at cbarks@prescottaz.com


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