Thread: NJ: Immigration Stirs Up Bound Brook, Again

Immigration Stirs Up Bound Brook, Again

By JOSHUA BRUSTEIN
Published: August 8, 2008

FOUR years after the federal government found that Bound Brook was unfairly targeting Hispanic residents for housing violations, the borough found itself once again embroiled in a debate about what municipalities can do to curb illegal immigration.

At a packed Borough Council meeting last month, the council’s president, James Lefkowitz, proposed a far-reaching resolution that would require landlords to obtain proof of their tenants’ legal status, deny borough contracts to businesses that hire illegal immigrants and require police officers to check the status of people they arrest.

After a passionate debate that stretched on for hours, Mr. Lefkowitz could not persuade any of his colleagues to second his proposal, so it went nowhere. Mayor Carey Pilato, who opposed the resolution, loudly declared it “deadâ€

Carmen Salavarrieta, a community activist who aids Hispanics in Bound Brook facing abuse from employers and landlords, said the emphasis on overcrowding was an excuse to target all Hispanic residents.

So, she admits that this is a solely Hispanic illegal immigrant problem in their town?......

Ms. Salavarrieta and others complained to federal officials when borough housing inspectors began making nighttime inspections accompanied by police officers.

Now I would LOVE to see this in my neighborhood. Can you imagine if this was done in all heavily illegal alien balkanized neighborhoods? Man, why can't I just see this happen, one time?