http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/21/State ... icia.shtml

Voters give politicians earful on immigration

The emotional and thorny debate is on top of the agenda as lawmakers come back to home districts.

By ANITA KUMAR, HANDRA BROADWATER
Published April 21, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - From his seat in the audience, 76-year-old Charles Wingrove wagged his finger at Sen. Bill Nelson and explained that illegal immigrants undermine the American dream.

The Vietnam War veteran railed for five minutes Tuesday at a town hall meeting at Brooksville City Hall about the need for tougher security at U.S. borders. When he was done, the audience erupted in applause.

"Illegals ... influence federal policy, laws and legislation that undermines our economy, lowers our standards of living and destroys the American dream," said Wingrove of Spring Hill. "They are destroying our republic."

Across Florida and across the nation, immigration reform dominated the public discourse during the two-week congressional recess that followed contentious discussions at the Capitol - a debate that galvanized immigrants and led to rallies nationwide.

With the Senate expected to continue debate on the most sweeping immigration reform in two decades next week, lawmakers couldn't help but hear from impassioned residents about where they stand.

They got an earful at town hall forums and campaign stops, in phone calls and e-mails and at small, impromptu protests outside meetings and offices.

"It is far and away the No. 1 thing on people's mind," said Rep. Adam Putnam, a Bartow Republican and a member of the House leadership team. "It's very emotional on both sides."

Florida lawmakers say most vocal residents favor a hard line approach that would send illegal immigrants back to their native countries. However, most national polls show most Americans want to allow some of them to work toward citizenship.

It's a delicate balancing act for politicians in an election year, especially those in the Republican Party, which is divided between those who consider immigrants a vital part of the work force and those who see them as dangerous lawbreakers.

"It's one of the most divisive issues that Congress has to deal with, but it does cut across party lines," said Sharon Hughes, executive vice president of the National Council of Agriculture Employers. "You just don't know who's going to be on what side of the issue."

Last December, the House passed a tough bill that focuses on border security and deporting illegal immigrants. The Senate is considering a more lenient bill that would give many of the nation's 12-million illegal immigrants, including 500,000 in Florida, a chance to stay.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Friday that he wants to pass a bill by Memorial Day.

The most passionate and the most plentiful individuals at the town hall meetings are those who take a hard line.

On Thursday, Dale Meares, 63, a Canada native who became a U.S. citizen, told Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, that illegal immigrants "make her blood boil."

"It is so wrong," said Meares of Clermont, her voice quavering. "Thousands say they have rights. They don't have any rights unless they earn them. Legal citizens are being spit in the face - it's like an insult."

Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, a Cuban immigrant who helped write a Senate bill allowing many illegal immigrants to work toward citizenship, said he hears those comments, too. But, he says, those views often change when he explains the options. "I do think the initial reaction has been strong, but when I tell them what I am working on, they are much more receptive," said Martinez, a Republican.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday showed 72 percent of Florida voters support giving immigrants a visa and allowing them to work toward citizenship. Only 24 percent support making illegal immigration a crime and barring immigrants from the country.

"This country is built on immigration," said Hubert "Wayne" Dukes, 60, a Hernando Beach resident running for County Commission. "It's what makes us such a great nation. And it's absurd to think that we should round them up and ship them back. We need to make these people legal."

At the South Lake County Republican Club in Clermont, Brown-Waite spoke to about 40 people, a mostly older crowd. Immigration and gas prices dominated much of the 45-minute discussion.

Stephen Elmore, 25, a City Council member from the small Lake County town of Mascotte, said government needs to find a more creative way to deal with illegal immigrants than deport them.

"What do you plan to do with all the illegal aliens that are here now?" he asked.

"Shoot 'em," someone in the audience mumbled.

"You need to come up with a better system," Elmore continued. "People want to be here, they work here, they have families here. You've got to find a way to incorporate them."

Business and agriculture groups worry that many senators who initially favored Martinez's bill will lose their resolve during their two weeks at home and that House Republicans will become even less willing to compromise. Those groups have been bombarding lawmakers with calls and e-mails, trying to set up meetings to urge them to support the Martinez bill.

The targets include Nelson, a Democrat who is leaning toward the Senate compromise; Putnam, whose district includes farmers who depend on immigrant labor; and Rep. Katherine Harris, who is running for Senate.

Some Republicans and Democrats who voted for the House version said they would consider granting illegal immigrants access to lawful employment. Putnam and Harris, who both voted for the House bill, acknowledge that the House bill only addresses part of the problem - border security.

"It did a great job of dealing with one third of the problem," Putnam said.

Times staff writers Bill Adair and Wes Allison and researcher Angie Drobnic Holan contributed to this report.