Thread: MD-Council approves illegal immigration measure

Council approves illegal immigration measure
Resolution calls for policy on county contracts
By Bryan P. Sears
bsears@patuxent.com

Posted 2/03/10

A civil rights group and an immigration advocacy organization say they fear some legal immigrants may be discriminated against if the county abides by a resolution passed Monday night by the County Council.

The council passed the non-binding measure by a vote of 6-0 asking the county to develop policies that would penalize companies that have contracts with the county -- if they cannot prove their employees are legally permitted to work in the United States.

Republican Councilman Bryan McIntire was absent due to illness and did not vote.

Council Chairman John Olszewski Sr. and Councilman Ken Oliver, both Democrats, had sponsored the resolution.

"This is a direct result of the tough economic times we are facing," Olszewski told the council during a work session last week.

Olszewski said he would like to see the county use a program such as E-verify, a system implemented by the federal government to help employers determine who is legally eligible for employment inside the United States.

Ajmel Quereshi, an attorney specializing in immigration issues with the American Civil Liberties Union, said E-verify still has kinks that are yet to be worked out, and they could result in many legal immigrants being told they can't be hired because they can't prove their status.

"The E-verify system is not yet ready to be mandated or encouraged to be used by common contractors," Quereshi said, adding that a 2007 federal report showed that the program was "not up to date."

A representative of the immigration advocacy group, Casa de Maryland, Liz Alex, also attended Monday's council meeting and testified against the measure, saying E-verify isn't reliable enough to be the basis of county policy.

The resolution did have the support of some labor unions.

"The point we are trying to make is, American jobs for Americans and Baltimore County jobs for Baltimore Countians and the people of the state of Maryland," said Buddy Cefalu, president of the Mid-Atlantic States District Council of Iron Workers, during a Jan. 26 council work session.

Cefalu said local contractors are losing business to others who hire people who are not in the country legally.

"We have contractors who work their pencils very sharp, and they are unable to compete because of these illegals," Cefalu said.

The council resolution is considered completely advisory.

County Executive Jim Smith has not yet taken a position on the measure. Don Mohler, a Smith spokesman, said last week that more information on the resolution has been requested "so we can review it."


http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/n ... n-measure/

I believe that anti illegal alien sentiment will grow into a tidal wave as the economy continues to slide.

Amazing that E-Verify is continually being criticized, when it is a free service from the US gov't that is paid for by taxpayer dollars. A local government has an absolute right to demand accountability from the contractors and subcontractors it hires.
I have fired a contractor or two when they send a non-English speaking crew to my property. If they want to get paid, play by my rules since I got the money.
A baby step, but a good start.

"A representative of the immigration advocacy group, Casa de Maryland, Liz Alex, also attended Monday's council meeting and testified against the measure, saying E-verify isn't reliable enough to be the basis of county policy."



Then tell immigrants to go get their verifiable non-fraudulent immigration documents that allow them to be in this country legally. They should have them on them or in a drawer or lock box at home. If they've lost them, that was very irresponsible. Without the papers, they are not legal, and have to go get duplicates from the State Department or DHS. If there are errors, they will be corrected. If there are no errors, then they weren't legal and need to be deported.

Why does Casa de Maryland still exist? Why hasn't the IRS shut them down? This is a perfect example of their violations of our tax code and the laws that government 501 C 3 not-for-profit tax-exempt organizations who are prohibited from lobbying, impacting public policy and influencing legislation. This is our country, the country of US citizens. We, not "immigration advocates", decide the laws of our nation, states, cities and counties.

IRS! Do you job and shut every single one of these lobbying interlopers representing foreign interests down.

Good Job Maryland! You did the right thing and I hope every county in every state of these United States follows your good example, and shame, shame, shame to those who don't.

Ajmel Quereshi.......shut up or go home.

Originally Posted by Judy

Why does Casa de Maryland still exist? Why hasn't the IRS shut them down? This is a perfect example of their violations of our tax code and the laws that government 501 C 3 not-for-profit tax-exempt organizations who are prohibited from lobbying, impacting public policy and influencing legislation. This is our country, the country of US citizens. We, not "immigration advocates", decide the laws of our nation, states, cities and counties.

i have asked the same thing over and over and over again. i have written to the governor. i have written to congressmen in maryland. i have demanded answers as to why, as a legal taxpaying citizen of maryland, why some of my tax dollars goes towards casa de maryland. i am so sickened that my tax dollars are used by casa de maryland to aid & abet illegals in maryland, to bail them out of jail, to help them find jobs, and to get help in getting government assistance.

i have stated several times that we need a civil lawsuit to be filed against Casa de Maryland. they apparently keep a "list of employers" who hire illegal aliens. why can't we, as taxpayers who fund their program, have access to this list? why can't we subpoena their records so we know which employers are using Casa to find illegal workers who are willing to get paid by the hour, under the table?????