City looks to dam immigration
Mumpower decries 'flood' of migrants
by Joel Burgess, JBURGESS@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
published July 11, 2007 12:15 am

ASHEVILLE — Asheville will look at taking on immigration enforcement, including giving police broader powers to identify illegal immigrants and begin deportation proceedings.

The move came at the urging of Councilman Carl Mumpower. Mumpower has also proposed having officers enforce all federal immigration laws, establishing fines for use of fake identification cards and investigating practices of day-labor companies.

Council members also asked that the city put a link on the its Web site so employers could take part in a voluntary federal program to prevent hiring of undocumented workers.

Mumpower said police arrest people with no identification for offenses such as driving while intoxicated, but no punishment is given because officers and magistrates are unable to identify them.

He called illegal immigration a form of terrorism, adding, “we’ve gone from a nourishing rain with immigration to a flood.â€