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Immigration fracas
Foes knock Suffolk county executive for inviting what they say are questionable groups to conference

BY BART JONES
STAFF WRITER

March 9, 2006

County Executive Steve Levy was in Washington, D.C., this week to ask for federal help with the burden he said undocumented immigrants impose on communities around the country, including Suffolk.

He also invited some guests who spoke at the conference of 60 elected officials he helped organize, including the controversial groups Federation for American Immigration Reform and Numbers USA. Some critics say they are anti-immigrant groups with questionable histories.

"It is in keeping with his behavior where he sought ideas on immigration from members of the [Farmingville-based] Sachem Quality of Life Organization," said Patrick Young of the Long Island Immigrant Alliance, a coalition of pro-immigrant organizations. "Rather than turn to the universities or think-tanks or community groups or the church, he turned to an ideologically motivated hate group. That is more or less the way he is framing the issue in Washington."

Levy yesterday denied that was his intent, saying the conference was for elected officials to discuss the impact of illegal immigration and seek solutions. Through a spokesman he said the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which has worked with the Sachem organization, and Numbers USA are legitimate groups devoted to some of the same issues that concern him and other officials.

"They were there because they have very good information and they have very good statistics and they are also committed to stemming the tide of illegal immigration," said Levy spokesman Ed Dumas, adding that a representative from the White House also attended.

He said no other groups on the other side of the issue were invited because they are "pro-illegal immigration."

Young denied that, saying groups such as his want the federal government to create a legal channel for low-skilled workers to enter the country.

A spokesman for Federation for American Immigration Reform denied it is anti-immigrant and said the group is devoted to fighting illegal immigration and reducing the number of legal immigrants.

"Just as you can be for health care reform without having any animosity toward nurses, you can be in favor of immigration reform without bearing any animosity toward immigrants," Ira Mehlman said.

Caroline Espinosa, a spokeswoman for Numbers USA, said the group is an "immigration reduction" organization concerned that current levels of immigration are contributing to environmental damage, congestion, suburban sprawl and job competition for Americans.

The Southern Poverty Law Center does not list the Federation for American Immigration Reform or Numbers USA as hate groups but considers them to be "anti-immigrant," spokeswoman Heidi Beirich said.

"In the past we have described them [the Federation for American Immigration Reform] as getting to the cusp" of being listed as a hate group, she said, adding the group has distanced itself recently from racist organizations.

Mehlman responded that the center "thinks everybody that they disagree with is a hate group."