Thread: NEB-Latinos Fearful After Fremont Immigration Vote

Latinos Fearful After Fremont Immigration Vote

Posted: July 30, 2008 06:42 PM CDT

Updated: July 30, 2008 10:12 PM CDT






Scott Lea
Omaha (KPTM) - A controversial plan was defeated in Fremont Tuesday that would have made it illegal to hire, harbor, or rent to illegal immigrants.

Lines of people stretched out the doors of Fremont High School Tuesday.

Hundreds of people were there to speak about the city's controversial plan.

"I believe the city council has no choice but to protect the citizens of Fremont," said one resident.

"If you adopt this resolution, you'll be the number one, biggest bigoted, racist city in our state," said another.

The city council wasn't scheduled to vote on the issue Tuesday, but decided to after several hours.

The vote was four in favor and four opposed.

Mayor Don Edwards cast the deciding vote against the measure.

While many Latinos spoke openly Tuesday night, Wednesday was an entirely different story in Fremont.

A Fremont Latino business owner didn't want us to reveal her identity Wednesday even though she's a U.S. citizen.

She spoke under the anonymity due to racial tensions in the town.

"There's lots of legal residents getting phone calls insulting them and telling them to be careful because something could happen to you or your family," she explained.

Some Latinos said Wednesday they likely would have moved if the ordinance had passed. Now some are hoping this debate and tension will cool off.

"Just give opportunity to the Hispanics to show what good we can do," she said. "We need to build a bigger and better Fremont."

Other Latino business owners echoed those thoughts Wednesday and said the vote was a step forward for the entire community.

http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S= ... 606_23_9_1

A Fremont Latino business owner didn't want us to reveal her identity Wednesday even though she's a U.S. citizen.

She spoke under the anonymity due to racial tensions in the town.

"There's lots of legal residents getting phone calls insulting them and telling them to be careful because something could happen to you or your family," she explained.

THIS is EXACTLY the reason why those of us against illegal immigration prefer to protest behind the scenes. The IA thug culture will stop at nothing to harm our families.

Turning your back on the problem won't make it go away. It'll only make it worse in the long run. They should have passed it.