Thread: Crackdown On 'Illegals' Hurting Business In Butler County

http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/10/27/illegals.html





Crackdown On 'Illegals' Hurting Business In Butler County


Reported by: Deb Silverman
Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller
Photographed by: Terry Helmer
First posted: 10/27/2005 5:32:48 PM
A plan to crack down on illegal immigrants in Butler County is hurting some businesses in the area, Channel 9's Deb Silverman reported Thursday.

Some illegal immigrants are afraid to come out of their homes, fearing local police are going to round them up and ship them out of the country.

Last week, Sheriff Rick Jones and two local lawmakers announced a plan to crack down on undocumented people.

It's not yet law, but that proposal has illegals panicking.

During lunch time Thursday at Taqueria Mercado Mexican Restaurant in Fairfield, many tables were empty.

Owner Lordes Leon says the rumors of deportation are hurting business.

"We have dropped 75 percent of our sales," she told 9News.

Leon, who took all the proper steps to become an American citizen, says she's gotten dozens of calls this week from customers concerned that local authorities are picking up illegals and deporting them.

Leon says her business isn't the only one hurting. Construction on some homes has had to stop because undocumented workers aren't showing up to do the job.

"If you're a mom and you go to work and you have a child with a baby-sitter maybe you'd feel the same. What if you're arrested and sent out of the country. What happens to my son or to my daughter," said Leon.

"I've had several calls from people concerned about deportation. They've heard there was a massive sweep and it hasn't happened. There's a lot of false information," said Lt. Ken Colburn of Fairfield Police.

While the sheriff pitched a plan with State Representative Courtney Combs and County Commissioner Mike Fox to pick up more undocumented people, it's far from becoming law.

"We're not picking anyone up. The only people that can pick up people illegally are the federal government, ICE. the problem with that is they're not doing much of it," said Sheriff Rick Jones.

The sheriff points out he's not targeting any specific ethnic group.

He just wants people who come to our country to do it the right way, like Leon.

While she admits some illegal immigrants are a problem, she says most are not.

"Most of the people are here to get a better life to work hard."

9News called federal agents on the issue Thursday but has not heard back.

Local leaders and community members will be meeting in Hamilton on Friday to discuss concerns about the proposal.

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http://www.alipac.us/article835.html

Some illegal immigrants are afraid to come out of their homes, fearing local police are going to round them up and ship them out of the country.

Good then leave, get out of here. We didn't want you criminals in our country anyway. We don't need you and your crappy, cheap, illegal, labor. We can do these jobs just fine without you and can do a better job to boot. Take Jorge Bush with you on your way out the door while your at it.

Construction on some homes has had to stop because undocumented workers aren't showing up to do the job.

So does anybody feel sorry for these homeowners who hired sleazy builders in the first place? I certainly don't. HIRE AMERICAN

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wlwt/20051031/lo_wlwt/3028943

Crackdown On Illegal Immigrants Raises Fears
Sun Oct 30,10:50 PM ET

Community officials, immigrants and other residents came to a meeting Friday night aimed at calming fears among Hispanics in Butler County, News 5 reported. They all talked about the county government crackdown on illegal workers.

Store owner Jennifer Garcia said it has slashed her business by 75 percent because people are living in fear. That includes legal immigrants.

"They were afraid of being harassed by police and pulled over just because they are Hispanic," Garcia said. A spokesman from the Interfaith Council said he talked to immigration officials, and an officer assured him agents are doing nothing differently since Butler County announced its crackdown last week.