Feds urged to tackle illegal immigration


Manasquan "paralyzed" from acting on it
By Alex Biese • COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU • February 13, 2008



MANASQUAN — The Borough Council Monday night unanimously approved a resolution urging Congress and the state Legislature to provide "a permanent and comprehensive solution to the problems of day workers and illegal immigration."

The resolution is the latest step in the council's search for ways to address what some see as a problem of day laborers congregating here.

"It's not the final chapter, but a chapter in the story of us dealing with a problem there is in Manasquan," Councilman Michael Mangan said.

However, some residents at the meeting expressed a desire for the borough to be more accepting of the day laborers.

"I really wonder if, as a community, we can't be the kind of community that, rather than exclude those people, tries to include them," Mary Ryan said.

"I like who we are as a community, but I think there is room for us to stretch and grow," Ryan told Mayor George Dempsey and the council.

Former Councilman John Tischio followed what he referred to as "ideal words" from Ryan, saying, "I think we should all be more embracing in this community."

At the council's Jan. 14 meeting, Mangan, chairman of the Manasquan Committee on Day Workers, which was formed in May, presented the committee's report.

Mangan said the issue of undocumented day laborers is one that must be addressed at the federal level. Quoting his committee's report, copies of which are available through the borough clerk's office, he said, "The borough is paralyzed from acting on this matter in any official capacity. That being said, there is nothing preventing a private citizen from making a personal choice to abstain from hiring any worker who does not provide appropriate documentation, or paying any contractor who hires such employees."

In its report, the committee also recommended that the council urge the Legislature and Congress to act on the matter.

The committee — which also includes Dempsey, Councilman Jeffrey K. Lee, Police Chief Daniel Scimeca and Code Enforcement Officer Neil B. Hamilton — wrote in the report that geography, job availability and the number of rental properties in town all contribute to the day-worker situation.
"While some citizens may benefit economically, the majority of taxpayers have or will inevitably carry the additional cost of all services that the day workers and illegal immigrants use," the report said.

It also stated that the police department "has seen no increase in crime that can be directly attributed to this group of day workers; nor does it believe them to be more or less of a safety risk than the population at large."
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