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Danbury accused of 'smuggling illegal aliens'

By Stephen P. Clark
Staff Writer

February 10, 2007

A group advocating stricter immigration rules asked federal officials this week to conduct a criminal investigation of the city of Danbury and its residents for housing and employment policies that it believes promote illegal immigration and violate federal immigration laws.

The same group, the CT Citizens for Immigration Control, filed a complaint in 2005 with the U.S. attorney's office against Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy and Bill Callion, the city's director of public safety, for authorizing "no-hassle" zones for day laborers in the city. That complaint is still pending, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Connecticut.

The group sent its latest request to the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service and the state attorney general.

"The city of Danbury has become one large illegal smuggling, employment and housing operation," Paul Streitz, founder and co-director of the group, said in a statement. "This is racketeering. It is coordinating various operations with one intent: to displace resident citizens with illegals."

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton called Streitz's request "absolutely absurd" and a publicity stunt.

"Obviously, it's silly," Boughton said. "And I think the U.S. attorney has more important things to do than put up with this grandstanding."

Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney said he is not sure whether the request was received but added that it would be treated the same as every other complaint. "We'll determine if it warrants an investigation," he said.

The immigration bureau acknowledged receipt of the request but would not confirm, deny or discuss any investigation.

The IRS declined to comment. "We cannot acknowledge receipt of the request," said Diane Besunder, spokeswoman for the agency.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he received the request and will review it.

Streitz, 63, a market researcher from Darien, said the group he formed two years ago has more than 200 members and is outspoken on immigration policy. He has organized anti-illegal-immigration protests, including some against day laborers; pushed city officials and police officers in the state to enforce federal immigration laws; and twice failed to win the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on a platform opposing outsourcing of U.S. jobs and pledging to strengthen immigration and trade policies. His latest attempt came last year.

In the request for an investigation, Streitz asks that law enforcement officials determine whether the city of Danbury has "created a criminal enterprise of smuggling, housing and employing illegal aliens" while preventing the enforcement of federal, state and city laws to induce "illegal aliens to come to, reside in and work in the city of Danbury."

Streitz said the city has more multiple-family houses than can be occupied by resident citizens, and they are filled with illegal immigrants.

Illegal immigrants, he said, are given false identities so they can work in "legitimate businesses" such as fast-food restaurants.

Streitz also called for an investigation of Boughton for possibly receiving travel expenses to Brazil to facilitate criminal activities that allow illegal immigrants to come here.

"This is a pipeline from Ecuador and Brazil to Danbury," Streitz said. "This is the ethnic cleansing of Danbury by replacing American citizens with illegals."

Boughton was scheduled to speak last Wednesday at an immigration debate hosted by the Wilton League of Women Voters and the Wilton Library. He backed out when he learned Streitz would attend.

"I don't do debates on immigration," said Boughton, an advocate for immigration enforcement. "I do discussions and round tables. There's nothing to debate about this issue."

Boughton added: "I don't subscribe to Mr. Streitz's style of racism in some cases, and silly behavior. I think this conversation has to happen, but it has to happen with people who are rational."

In the complaint against Stamford filed in December 2005, Streitz said the designated labor pickup spots on the city's East Side induce "illegal aliens to come into the United States and remain in the United States in violation" of federal criminal law.

Malloy dismissed the complaint as a publicity stunt and said the "hassle-free" zones do not violate any laws.