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For a sample of results from the Brewster immigration survey, visit LoHud.com
By MICHAEL RISINIT
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: June 22, 2006)

Survey results

Sample of the results from the immigration survey in the 99th District. Only responses from surveys mailed to 2,418 households were tabulated and only if a name was given with the responses. Registered Republican households who voted in four recent elections were chosen and 523 surveys were returned.


Q:Is illegal immigration an issue that is important to you?

Yes: 97%.

No: 1%.

Not sure: 2%.

Q: Do you feel the number of illegal immigrants who reside locally is increasing in your community?

Yes: 96%.

No: 1%.

Not sure: 1 percent.

Don't care: 2 percent.



Q: In your opinion, what is the likelihood that the State Assembly will take action to help municipalities grapple with the consequences of illegal immigration?

Definite: 9 percent.

Possible: 31 percent.

Unlikely: 41 percent.

Not a chance: 19 percent.
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BREWSTER — Like millions of illegal immigrants, Jose Perez has used a fake Social Security number to secure work in the United States. The nine digits convinced a Maryland employer the Guatemalan native could be legally hired.

So, applying for and using a genuine identification number that forces him to pay state income tax and would allow contractors to employ him seems like "a good idea," he said. Perez was in the Brewster Laundromat last week, washing his clothes and mulling over a campaign proposal by Greg Ball, who wants to run for the state Assembly in the 99th District.

"If you're here in this country, it is only right that you pay taxes and follow the law," Perez, 40, said.

Ball, who plans to challenge Assemblyman Willis Stephens in the September Republican primary, has waded into a matter usually left to the federal government. Stephens, too, has touched on the debate over what to do about the country's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants and how to strengthen immigration enforcement.

"It is somewhat discouraging because it appears that governments, at all levels, provide safe haven to immigrants without regard to the legality of their status," said Stephens, R-Southeast, adding he's introduced bills to promote cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies concerning those suspected of being in this country illegally.

The matter has divided Congress. It's also frustrated some residents in Brewster and Southeast, where hundreds of Hispanic men gather on the village's Main Street to seek work.

"I think more politicians should do that (address the issue)," said Michael Pappas, 67, of Southeast. "Nobody wants to do anything."

Pappas was one of 523 residents to return an illegal immigration survey sent out by Ball. The document was mailed to about 2,500 registered Republicans in the town and the village. Ball admitted those strongly opposing illegal immigration would have a greater tendency to return the survey and, according to his data, almost all the returns said the presence of day laborers has negatively affected the quality of life in their community.

"I'm very happy he's addressing the issue at our small-town level," said respondent Jane Bergh, 65. "Everyone needs to start somewhere. I'd like to see it (immigration) legally done."

Ball wants the undocumented population to document itself by applying for a federal Individual Taxpayer Identification Number that could be used at the state level to deduct taxes. The IRS issues the IDs to taxpayers without a Social Security number. Contractors hiring workers without the numbers would be penalized.

Stephens said Ball's suggestion "mystified" him. Any illegal immigrants caught breaking existing laws, Stephens said, should be reported to the federal government and deported. Enforcement of existing laws, he said, isn't going to improve by adding another law requiring immigrants to obtain an identification number.

"There already is a law that says all income earned in this state is taxable. Likewise, there are already laws on the books that require employers to withhold taxes, provide workers' compensation insurance and pay fair wages," Stephens said.

Back in the Brewster Laundromat, Efrain Salazar said Ball's proposal had some merit. Salazar has lived in the village for 11 years and does excavation work. He had one suggestion for Ball.

"I think he should come and explain his plans to us," he said.



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