Thread: Gaston Cuts Could Cost

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Charlotte Observer, The (NC)
November 18, 2006
Section: METRO
Edition: ONE-THREE
Page: 1B


GASTON CUTS COULD COST
PLAN STOPS FUNDING FOR ILLEGAL-IMMIGRANT SERVICES
BUT DIRECTORS OF SEVERAL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS SAY RESIDENCE SCREENING WILL ADD FINANCIAL BURDEN
JEFFERSON GEORGE AND AMY RAINEY,
JGEORGE@CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM, ARAINEY@CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

A move by Gaston County leaders to cut funding for services used by illegal immigrants will result in few changes and, in some cases, could actually cost more money, several county officials said.

Last week's vote by Gaston County commissioners was the most aggressive action in the Charlotte region against people living in the United States illegally. Commissioner John Torbett said he proposed the resolution to reduce the drain on public services paid for with taxpayer money.
But several county department directors contacted by the Observer said this week that most of their programs and services are mandated by state or federal law.

In some cases, such as food stamps and Medicaid, screening for citizenship is already done, they said. In others, creating a screening process would cost departments time and money, possibly offsetting any savings.

For instance, the county Health Department must provide some programs by federal law, regardless of citizenship, said Colleen Bridger, health director. Why, she asked, should illegal immigrants be excluded if they're entitled to programs anyway?

"It would add expense to ask a question we can do nothing with," Bridger said.

Another issue is the number of people such screenings would catch. About 11 percent of Health Department customers are Hispanic, Bridger said, and officials don't know how many are in the U.S. illegally.

"Is that juice really worth the squeeze?" she asked. "If you're looking for efficiency in government, this isn't it."

The resolution states that illegal immigration contributes to overcrowded schools, highway deaths and increased crime. It also notes illegal immigrants' "lack of social and personal health care standards."

The resolution doesn't specify country of origin, but most illegal immigrants in North Carolina are Hispanic. Estimates of the state's Hispanic population range from 530,000 to 600,000, and the Pew Hispanic Center, a research group, estimates that 390,000 are in the country without permission.

Of Gaston County's roughly 196,000 residents, about 9,500, or 4.8 percent, are Hispanic, according to 2005 census data.

After last week's vote, Gaston County Manager Jan Winters directed department heads to develop an estimate of what each department spends on illegal immigrants and possible ways to reduce those costs.

Torbett has said he doesn't know how much money is spent providing services to illegal immigrants in the county. He said he'll meet with department directors to identify areas where they are exceeding federal and state-mandated guidelines.

Some directors told the Observer their hands are tied when it comes to cutting services.

By state law, Gaston Emergency Medical Services must respond to any emergency call regardless of residence status, Director Mark Lamphiear said.

At the Department of Social Services, Keith Moon said his office also is required by law to respond to any instance of abuse or neglect. If children of illegal immigrants are placed in foster care, he said, those costs would be covered by the state or county.

In the county's Parks and Recreation Department, officials don't screen participants in its seniors programs or the roughly 10 special events held each year, such as the recent Cotton Ginning Days festival, Director Cathy Hart said.

And athletic leagues and activities sponsored by other groups that use county facilities wouldn't be covered if the department begins screening for illegal immigrants, Hart said.

"We're not directly providing the programs," she said.

*

Effect on law enforcement

The resolution's biggest impact may come in law enforcement. County police and the Sheriff's Office have been directed to check the residence status of people arrested or cited for any infraction.

Although he didn't have estimates, Sheriff Alan Cloninger said those checks would increase the population at the Gaston County Jail, where overcrowding is an issue.

The Sheriff's Office in August announced it will join a federal program that allows local law enforcement officers to screen for illegal immigrants and arrange deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is paying for the computer system and officer training, Cloninger said, and the program should start in February.

But deported inmates could be replaced by people screened by Gaston County police, who are directed by the resolution to check a person's residence status during any infraction and detain any illegal immigrant for deportation.

"We'll have to figure out what technology is out there to check on such a status," Police Chief Bill Farley said, "and coordinate with Sheriff Cloninger to figure out how to do that practically."

Officials at other county agencies, however, say they're not sure they can or want to single out illegal immigrants.

The Gaston County Public Library doesn't deny access to services based on nationality, origin, age, gender or race, Director Cindy Moose said. Doing so seems neither practical nor ethical, she said.

"Would we say , `You cannot come with your child to this story hour today'? How would you do that? I don't know," Moose said.

*

Jefferson George: 704-868-7742

Amy Rainey: 704-868-7731

Illegal-Immigrant Resolution

By a 5-1 vote last week, Gaston County commissioners directed county officials to look at ways to do the following:

Stop funding the portion of local services that go to illegal immigrants.

Stop nonmandated or federally and state-funded programs that serve illegal immigrants.

Stop contracting with companies that employ illegal immigrants.

Update minimum housing requirements to limit the number of people who can live in rental homes.

The resolution directs the Gaston County authorities to:

Check the status of undocumented immigrants upon arrest.

Check immigration status during all infractions such as a traffic stop.

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Copyright (c) 2006 The Charlotte Observer

They need to pass the RENT ORDINANCE.

Make renting to illegals illegal. After all, it really is anyway.

Head 'em up, Move 'em out .... Rawhide!

GO GASTON! Hang tough. Get the job done.

Why, she asked, should illegal immigrants be excluded if they're entitled to programs anyway?

I do believe, Ms. Bridger, it's the programs they're NOT entitled to that's in question.

"It would add expense to ask a question we can do nothing with," Bridger said.

Tell me, Ms. Bridger, how much expense would asking one question add? This statement makes no sense to me.

Another issue is the number of people such screenings would catch. About 11 percent of Health Department customers are Hispanic, Bridger said, and officials don't know how many are in the U.S. illegally.

I consider this as a racist remark by Ms. Bridger. It's not about hispanics, honey, it's about ILLEGALS - ALL ILLEGALS!

It's obvious they have their work cut out for them when the health director, Colleen Bridger, seems to be questioning the decision of the commissioners.

IMO, she needs to seek employment elsewhere.