Thread: Immigration advocates ask Suffolk to ease hostility

Immigration advocates ask Suffolk to ease hostility
BY DAVE MARCUS | dave.marcus@newsday.com
September 17, 2008

Nearly two dozen immigration advocates yesterday asked the Suffolk Legislature to tone down what they say is the legislature's hostility toward immigrants, especially Hispanics.

Rather than coming up with bills that target undocumented workers, the speakers said, legislators should expand English-language classes, increase access to health care, protect day laborers against bosses who exploit them, and build trust between immigrants and the police.

"Let's not waste our time bickering and pointing fingers but rather use it wisely to solve the problems," said Omar Enriquez, immigration chairman of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

Enriquez lives in Long Beach, and like several of the speakers, he said Nassau welcomes immigrants but Suffolk rebuffs them. He faulted the legislature for attempting to pass legislation that stirs up resentment against Hispanics, whether they have arrived legally or illegally.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has been a vocal opponent of illegal immigration.

The Long Island Immigrant Alliance, a nonprofit group promoting what it calls the "Island of opportunity," cited a study by an independent foundation that found immigrant spending on Long Island had a positive economic impact of $10.6 billion in 2006.

But several speakers countered that undocumented workers cost the county untold millions of dollars for schools, hospitals and jails.

"They're complaining and calling American citizens racists," said Bill Mitchell of Patchogue, who works at the Suffolk County jail but was speaking on his own behalf. "If they're miserable here, why are they staying?"

The immigration remarks came during time reserved for public comments, and the legislators did not enter the debate.

Several of the immigrant advocacy leaders said they were especially frustrated with Legis. Brian Beedenbender (D-Centereach), who introduced a bill in January requiring those with occupational licenses to verify that their workers are in the country legally.

The legislature passed the bill, but the state Supreme Court voided it, saying it was improperly transferred out of committee. The county appealed the ruling to the Appellate Court.

During a break, Beedenbender said he, like immigration advocates, wants more police protection in poorer communities and an end to worker exploitation.

"If they focus on these issues, they will have a partner in, I guess, everybody in the Legislature," he said. "But the word that's missing is 'legal.' We have to discuss what we'll do about people who are here illegally."
http://www.newsday.com/news/printeditio ... 1080.story

All states need to be required by ICE to E-Verify all immigrants.

end SEGREGATION - That is what American Schools have taught via our government purposes. Americans have been dumbed down to accept the invasion of immigrants. But have Third World Countries ended SEGREGATION?

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REQUIRE THE GOVERNMENT TO E -VERIFY ALL I-9S GETTING HIRED BY NC EMPLOYERS VIA THE NC STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES.

NC STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES ONLY E-VERIFIES I-9S OF AGRICULTURAL IMMIGRANTS.

Please go and read my information about I-9s at post:
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-769349.html#769349