Thread: Immigration Controversy Continues in Riverside

Immigration Controversy Continues in Riverside

By Nora Muchanic

August 23, 2007 - There were a number of demonstrations last summer in Riverside, New Jersey as lawmakers were considering the Illegal Immigration Relief Act. Indeed the act became law, making it illegal to hire or to rent housing to illegal immigrants. But tonight, the township committee will consider rescinding the law, and again, the town is divided.

"Riverside's (going to) be overrun by illegal people." That's what resident Jenna Pulsinelli says will happen if the Riverside town committee decides to rescind a controversial law that prohibits hiring or renting to illegal immigrants.

"They're just everywhere and they pack into apartments, like there's 20 of them in a 1 bedroom apartment, and it causes bugs. And it's loud and it's really just not fair to the rest of us," said Pulsinelli.

"We came here to work," says Yeimi Villatooro. "We're not even criminals and they treat us like a criminal and that's not true."

The law has never been enforced, but it sparked protests, 2 lawsuits, and locals say scared many immigrants away.

Restaurant owner Mamoun Afifi says the immigration ordinance has left many restaurants, rentals and stores empty. "We need these people, make town live, making town busy," says Afifi.

Mindy Jacobs says, "They are all human beings and they should be treated like human beings and they are equal but they need to become citizens."

A recent federal court decision striking down a similar law in Hazelton Pennsylvania may influence the town committee to rescind the local law.

Town solicitor George Saparano says he, "can't get into whether the council in the end feels its wise to go forward in light of Hazelton but certainly that's one of the aspects among many discussed."

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?secti ... id=5597906

You people better step up... you have no idea what awaits you... take a look at Southern Cal, New Mexico, Texas, Florida ... hahahaha, you better save yourself while you can

Posted on Thu, Aug. 23, 2007
Riverside Twp. repeals illegal-immigrant law


The Riverside Township Committee tonight voted to repeal a controversial two-year-old law that would have fined businesses that hired illegal immigrants. The 3-1 vote, with one committee member absent, came after an hour-long special meeting held at Riverside Elementary School.

Although the law was never enforced, it was blamed for the exodus of thousands of Brazilian immigrants who had settled in the township, as well as some businesses that catered to their needs.

One reason the law was never enforced was that Riverside became mired in federal and state legal challenges of the statute.

The repeal came a month after a federal judge in Pennsylvania struck down a similar but harsher law enacted by Hazleton, Pa., a coal-mining community near the Poconos. Riverside passed its law 12 days after Hazleton's made national headlines.

The motivation behind Riverside's about-face last night was unclear. The members of the Township Committee, including Mayor George Conard, deferred comment to Township Solicitor George Saponaro, who was unavailable tonight.

Tonight's initial approval to repeal will be followed by a second vote to confirm the action. - Dwight Ott and Sam Wood

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20070 ... t_law.html