Thread: Meeting in Butler on immigrants

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Meeting in Butler on immigrants
County officials want a discussion on the best way to be fair and enforce the law.
By Candice Brooks

Staff Writer

HAMILTON — As several local political leaders have made proposals to crack down on illegal immigration, the Butler County commissioners will hold an open discussion today with stakeholders on all sides of the issue to determine the best strategy to step up enforcement of immigration laws.

From sheriff's deputies and immigration officers to home builders and Hispanic community members, all have been invited to the session at 9:30 a.m. in the fourth floor conference room of the Butler County Government Services Center, 315 High St.

The forum comes after local church and community leaders spoke out Sunday with the Butler County Community Alliance about uniting the community through immigration policy.

Recent raids at businesses and proposals like empowering sheriff's deputies to work as immigration enforcement officers are "creating a climate of intolerance and Latino businesses are talking about leaving the area," said BCCA member Shelly Jarrett Bromberg, who plans to attend today's meeting.

"Do you need to raid a home?" Bromberg asked referring to the recent shutdown of Bee's Chinese Buffet in Fairfield.

"We are losing our humanity here. We are letting these politicians with kind of quirky ideas about the law dehumanize a population."

Commissioner Michael Fox said he is looking for a compassionate — but effective — way to enforce the law to create jobs for legal residents and prevent the cheap "slave labor" of illegal workers.

"I don't want to put the emphasis on rounding people up and sending them back home. That's not where I'm coming from," Fox said.

"I want to put the pressure on people who can really fix this problem.

"I'm equally passionate about giving them (illegal immigrants) a path to citizenship as I am about building a wall," he said.

Sheriff Richard K. Jones said he wants his officers to have the authority to enforce immigration law without paying for the required six-week training.

"If you are sneaking, lying and cheating the government... fair labor standards, not paying taxes, not paying workers competitive wages, those are already violations," Jones said.

"You violate the law, you don't need to be in business."

Hispanic community members

Why are only members of the Hispanic community being "invited". What about the people that are complaining and severely impacted by illegal immigration?

Dixie

Originally Posted by Dixie

Hispanic community members

Why are only members of the Hispanic community being "invited". What about the people that are complaining and severely impacted by illegal immigration?

Dixie

Well, Dixie. It's not the Hispanic Community. It is LULAC. There speaking for the special interest groups. I have all the confidence in Jones. He will let them know, that there is going to be more and more Raids.

http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/06/ ... eting.html

Butler Co. Holds Meeting On Immigration Regulations

Reported by: Tom McKee
Web produced by: Laura Hornsby
Photographed by: 9News
First posted: 6/12/2006 12:08:32 PM Last Updated: 6/12/2006 05:50:59 PM
Butler County leaders are considering requiring home builders to help control the problem of undocumented workers.

Butler County Commissioner Mike Fox wants builders and subcontractors to sign papers promising they won't use illegal workers before a building permit is issued.

So why construction? Because it's one area where the county has authority.

The plan highlighted an immigration forum in Hamilton and drew quick criticism.

Dan Destefano, president of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Cincinnati, says he doesn't understand why the building industry is being singled out.

He says members don't hire illegal workers and wonders about other industries.

Fox blames the federal government for creating a moral and economic mess, saying there has been an underground economy created.

The hard-line immigration stance of Sheriff Richard Jones also came under fire, especially the arrest of 20 workers that had to be let go.

Fairfield school board member Arnold Engel suggested following the sheriff's lead in billing Washington $650,000 for his district's English-as-a-second-language classes.

Pastor Josh Colon of Hamilton says his better plan includes bringing children to his church and having volunteers teach them English.

The national debate on immigration reform rages on, with the spotlight remaining on Butler County in an election year.