Immigration issue takes center stage – twice: Supporters of city law state case in Freeland
Sunday, 26 August 2007
By AMANDA CHRISTMAN
http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.ph ... 2&Itemid=2

Freeland Mayor Tim Martin said people just don’t understand Hazleton City’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act.

The mayor stood before a crowd of about 100 people in Freeland Public Park during a rally staged by Voice of the People Sunday. It was the group’s sixth such rally in the area. It is planning another rally at the steps of the state capitol in Harrisburg next week, the organization’s Dan Smeriglio, said.

Martin said an anonymous letter was sent to him and talked about the act, what it would do for Freeland and its positives.

However the letter ended with, "I don’t want those Hispanics living next to me." Martin said that is not the purpose of the law and those twisting it into that are wrong.

"People don’t understand what this law means," he said.

"Diversity is what makes our country so great."

The law has nothing to do with race or ethnic background, he said, but has everything to do with becoming an American citizen.

A local businessman for 22 years, Martin said new businesses run by immigrants are good for the economy. However, he said an illegal immigrant can come to the United States and open up a business tax free.

Martin said he had to take out a loan for his business when he opened it and had to pay taxes.

"Do you know what I could have done with that money?" Martin asked.

A supporter of the illegal immigration law, Martin said he has been following it since its inception, but said small towns such as Freeland can’t adopt the ordinance because of the cost of litigation.

"We’re playing the wait-and-see game," Martin said.

He also talked about people who say that becoming an American citizen is too long a process and a hard path.

Martin said people need to face that head on and do the right thing by becoming a legal citizen no matter how tough it may be.

Frank Scavo of Voice of the People also spoke explaining the purpose of the organizations rallies.

Scavo said he is a descendant of Italian immigrants who migrated to the United States legally in 1919. He held up a framed Certificate of Naturalization with his ancestors’ names on it, saying there was no welfare or government assistance for immigrants back then.

"There was only a country to be built," he said.

The purpose of the rallies, he said, is to motivate people.

The next rally in Harrisburg, he said, will show elected officials that border control is needed. He pointed to a sign behind him that stated, "Close the border in 90 days."

"Our federal government has failed…failed miserably at protecting our borders," Scavo said.

Mike Komishock, of Drifton, and Gene Rossi of Drums said they came to the rally to support the law.

Komishock said politicians are not doing their jobs protecting borders.

Rossi said he served 10 years in the Navy and 16 years in the National Guard, noting that his respect for America is deep-rooted. Illegal immigrants, Rossi said, need to have respect for Americans and come to the country legally.

Voice of the People intended to have a rally in Freeland a few weeks ago, but didn’t fill out the necessary paperwork, Martin said prior to speaking at the rally.

He said his major concern with the rally was ensuring there was enough police protection.

Once the paperwork was filled out, Martin said he was able to have five Freeland Borough police officers and five Luzerne County sheriffs deputies on scene.

According to Freeland Sgt. Rob Maholik, there were no incidents.


achristman@standardspeaker.com