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.)

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