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Posted on Sun, Jun. 04, 2006



Mayor: City can't hide issue
Recent remarks about victims here illegally shows aggressive stance
FRANCO ORDOÑEZ
fordonez@charlotteobserver.com

Charlotte is a city at odds with itself over illegal immigration, Mayor Pat McCrory told the Observer in a wide-ranging interview on the issue.

While the city is willing to accept the labor of undocumented workers, it is reluctant to bear the accompanying social costs, McCrory said.

McCrory, a Republican in his sixth term, has been quiet on his views on immigration, an issue that divides his party nationally between those who would give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship and those who call that amnesty for lawbreakers.

But he spoke out last month when he criticized the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's practice of not asking crime victims their residency status. His comments demonstrate a more aggressive approach he has begun taking in dealing with illegal immigrants.

"We can no longer afford as a society to hide the issue under the rug and pretend it doesn't exist," McCrory said.

Local governments, including Charlotte, are as guilty as the private sector in overlooking enforcement of laws while benefiting from the work of illegal immigrants, he said. The city, he said, does not adequately monitor whether its contractors hire illegal immigrants.

McCrory acknowledges undocumented workers likely had a role building Charlotte Bobcats Arena and expressed uncertainty about whether the NASCAR Hall of Fame could be completed within budget without illegal immigrant workers.

Angeles Ortega-Moore, executive director of the Latin American Coalition, says she is not surprised by the mayor's opinions.

"There are a lot of people out there in leadership positions who have a lot of comments about what they're seeing, but they're not offering solutions," she said.

She added that many people in Charlotte are slow to remember how immigrants helped the city during the booming growth of the 1990s.

In the course of several interviews last week, McCrory discussed how the rapid influx of a poor, often illegal, population needing social services has impacted the city.

It's an issue larger cities and border communities have dealt with for years. Local politicians can't ignore it, despite having little authority to enforce federal immigration laws, said Ted Arrington, a political science professor at UNC Charlotte.

"Even if it's not your responsibility, if you're a politician, you have to show that you care," he said. "Otherwise, the public is going to say that `I'm concerned about this and you don't care.' That is not a way to get re-elected nor is it good public service."

McCrory has made immigration one of his top priorities this year. He created the Mayor's Immigration Study Commission, a 29-member task force to study the impacts of legal and illegal immigration on the city.

The group is divided into four subcommittees: economic development, education, health care and public safety. It's expected to present its findings and recommend new policies in December.

The mayor has received credit for seeking answers regarding a population about which little information is available.

"It's an important issue," said Mayor Kim Phillips of Huntersville, who heads the public safety subcommittee. "The fact is you're getting cheaper housing and labor on your yard. But how are you being affected as a taxpayer for paying for services for illegal immigrants?"

The commission is divided. Some members are worried about the mayor making statements about police practices that they fear will make undocumented immigrants more frequent targets of crime.

"We need to avoid this at all costs," said member Maudia Melendez, a local Latino advocate.

Others say the commission is not balanced.

"I'm very frustrated," said member Hal Weatherman, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., of Charlotte. "To me, the task force is becoming an apologist for illegal immigration."

McCrory said the differing opinions reflect the public's high emotions.

What's important, he said, is that dialogue continues.

"Boy, there are temptations to hide and pass this on to the next group of leaders of this community," he said. "I don't think we can afford to do that."


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Franco Ordoñez: (704) 358-6180





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