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County seeks tougher immigration laws
Some groups say move politically,racially motivated
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
By DAVID HOLDEN
Times Staff Writer dholden@htimes.com
With a commissioner citing a "flood of illegal immigrants," the Madison County Commission approved a resolution Monday calling for tougher laws against illegal immigrants.

But some community groups said the resolution is politically and racially motivated.

The flood of illegal immigrants that has breached America's borders had been an ongoing problem, said Commissioner Faye Dyer.

"This has nothing to do with heritage, or people who come here legally or even Hispanics," she said. "There is a right way and a wrong way to bring people into this county.

"I'm a Republican and I don't think our president has done enough to control illegal immigration."

Madison County Commissioner Morris Brooks, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, introduced the resolution at the commission meeting Monday. It was approved 6 to 1 with Commissioner Bob Harrison casting the lone dissenting vote.

The commissioners agreed, though there was nothing they could do directly to enforce immigration laws.

Harrison said he voted against Brooks' resolution because it did not take into account the position of the National Association of Counties. He said NACO is urging the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform that provided adequate funding for counties and states to cover health care costs, increase funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance program, English language and civic integration and training for law enforcement.

The organization also opposes any new unfunded mandates on local and state government, Harrison said.

Hilda Eisler, a native of Colombia, said she agrees with Harrison that illegal immigration is a national issue that should be addressed by Congress. Criminals who break the law should go to jail, Eisler said, but hard-working illegal immigrants should be given a chance to become legal citizens.

The resolution calls for no action against illegal aliens, Brooks said.

Bruce Ramer of Geraldine said he is a descendant of German-Russian-Jewish parents who emigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in New York in the early 20th century.

"This county has been so great for accepting aliens," he said. "It was a wiser man than me who said we should help the least among us."

Ramer said he knows Brooks is running for office.

"Is this your flavor of the year or the month?" he asked.

Cheryl Blankenship, pastor of Multicultural United Methodist Church, told the commission she supports halting illegal immigration, but opposes the negative language in Brooks' resolution.

A more strongly worded resolution that Brooks introduced in December specified fines and prison time for those who employ illegal aliens; it was rejected then by 4 to 3 .

Copies of Monday's resolution will be delivered to Gov. Bob Riley, Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, the state Legislature, U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.

The commission approved a resolution making April 6 Tartan Day in honor of and recognition of the achievements and contributions made by Scottish-Americans to Madison County.