Thread: Immigration debate reaches Shenandoah

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_ ... slocal-hed

From The Morning Call
June 22, 2006
Immigration debate reaches Shenandoah
Borough considers laws against renting to illegal immigrants.
By Spencer Soper and Daniel Patrick Sheehan Of The Morning Call
| Paul Guida was born and raised in this small coal town, and he's glad to hear borough officials plan to crack down on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, following a similar initiative in nearby Hazleton.

''I don't think it's right for people to be here illegally, taking jobs from Americans who are looking for work,'' said Guida, 28, who works in a hospital boiler room. ''I think it's good what [borough officials] are doing.''

Down the street at the Mexican restaurant La Casita de Familia, where sombreros decorate the walls, manager Flor Gomez worries anti-immigrant policies could result in racial tension and discrimination against Hispanics seeking work and housing, regardless of their status.

''I don't know if the problem is as bad as they're making it out to be,'' she said. ''There is a large Hispanic population, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're illegal.''

Coal towns built long ago by transplants from Poland, Ireland, Italy and elsewhere in Europe are now being torn apart by the issue of illegal immigration. Former Europeans working in the mines have been replaced by Mexicans, Dominicans, Hondurans and other Central and South Americans working in the fields and factories.

Some residents are glad to see their local officials try to tackle a problem they say the federal government has allowed to get out of control. Others wonder what the fuss is about, and question if small towns with limited resources can do anything of

significance.

Pennsylvania's coal region splashed into headlines when Lou Barletta, the mayor of Hazleton in Luzerne County, introduced his Illegal Immigration Relief Act Ordinance.

Besides landing Barletta on national TV and radio programs, his policy has rippled into the neighboring Schuylkill County towns of Shenandoah, Tamaqua and Mahanoy City, where officials are considering similar initiatives to prevent illegal immigrants fleeing Hazleton from settling nearby.

''If Hazleton is going to be focusing on enforcement, [illegal immigrants] aren't going to be willing to stay there,'' said Joe Palubinsky, manager of the borough of Shenandoah. ''More than likely they are going to try to settle nearby.''

To thwart that outcome, officials in Shenandoah — home to a long-established Mexican community — have pledged to crack down on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants. Council has already taken one largely symbolic step, adopting an ordinance Monday that enshrines English as the mostly white borough's official language for city business.

Mahanoy City will probably discuss similar ordinances next month, Borough Manager Jerry Teter said. ''We'll be a bull's eye if we don't,'' he said.

Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison urged Borough Council on Tuesday to be watchful for illegal immigrants and criminals when inspecting apartment buildings.

''If what's going on in Hazleton has the impact that I think it might have, we might end up having an influx down here,'' Morrison said.

The debate is also swirling in Harrisburg, with bills being considered that would penalize contractors who violate labor laws by revoking their licenses and give county district attorneys the power to arrest and detain illegal immigrant workers for up to 30 days.

A walk through Shenandoah reveals how cultures co-exist. You can get a seafood salad or meatball sandwich at Francesco's Italian Restaurant on Main Street. And you're likely to find Hispanic clientele at Catizone's Barber Shop.

''We get a lot of [Hispanics] in here,'' barber John Catizone said. ''I don't know if they're legal or illegal. We're not checking IDs.''

His uncle, Vince Catizone, who was working the adjacent chair, joked, ''We're just checking pocketbooks.''

John Catizone said immigration has not been much of an issue in town until news broke about a crackdown in Hazelton.

''Maybe the guy in Philly got the ball rolling with the cheesesteak place,'' he said, referring to English-only signs posted at famous Geno's Cheesesteaks.

Around the block, Victoria's Grocery also caters to Hispanic and American customers alike with signs in English and Spanish.

Shop owner Jose Perez, from the Dominican Republic, said he thinks all immigrants are being unfairly punished for the misdeeds of a few.

''Most of the people in this community are good working people,'' said Perez, who also works at a Hazleton meat packing plant. ''Good people are paying the consequences for the bad people.''

Fermin Bermejo, who has lived in Shenandoah for 15 years, attributes some of the anti-immigrant policies to racism.

Born in America to Puerto Rican parents, he said he likes seeing the community become more diverse. And when people ask for his views on illegal immigration, he likes to talk about tomatoes.

''Would you want to pay a buck for a tomato?'' he asks. ''That's what it would cost if an American got $15 or $20 an hour to pick 'em. The Mexicans do it for less, and people complain that they're taking our jobs. But they wouldn't want to pay a buck for a tomato.''

spencer.soper@mcall.com

610-820-6533
Copyright © 2006, The Morning Call

"Shop owner Jose Perez, from the Dominican Republic, said he thinks all immigrants are being unfairly punished for the misdeeds of a few. "

Nonsense. Everyone who is illegal, will be punished, and the few who are also engaging in misdeeds, will be made examples of! No one will escape!

It's just not fair that only the misdeeds are punished. The US has a long history of punishing groups simultaneously! British,Yankees, Confederates, Germans, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Muslims, and Hispanics. We are equal opportunity punishers, and will make sure everyone gets a chance at being punished.

Quit worrying JHose---you will get your turn too!

''Would you want to pay a buck for a tomato?'' he asks. ''That's what it would cost if an American got $15 or $20 an hour to pick 'em. The Mexicans do it for less, and people complain that they're taking our jobs. But they wouldn't want to pay a buck for a tomato.''

Well......they have tomatoes here at 2.99 and sometimes 3.99 a lb. So that excuse doesn't fly. I'm growing my own and picking my own coz I haven't see a tomatoe for less than a buck in a long time. If it gets too high......well......just won't be an option.

You would be suprised just how much Americans will pay, especially if it gets rid of the illegals. It's already costing us a fortune. We can't AFFORD any more "cheap" vegetables. If you consider ALL the costs, we are probably paying 5 bucks, or more, for a tomato!

I'll pay 20 dollars for a Tomato, plus, I make better salsa: thus I don't need an illegal cook, waiter, and dishwasher working for me, and costs a lot less than paying for a hospital anchor baby birth every minute of the day.

You go Pennsylvania!!!!

''I don't know if the problem is as bad as they're making it out to be,'' she said. ''There is a large Hispanic population, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're illegal.''

If the are not illegal then there is no problem.

I was wondering if that would happen. There is a ripple effect going on here that I like. The surrounding towns know if Hazelton chases illegals off they will be looking for a new home nearby so they have to act to preserve their own town.

Unfortunately I do not think there is a town in Florida that will do what is right to start a ripple in this state.

''Would you want to pay a buck for a tomato?'' he asks. ''That's what it would cost if an American got $15 or $20 an hour to pick 'em. The Mexicans do it for less, and people complain that they're taking our jobs. But they wouldn't want to pay a buck for a tomato.''

Right on Y'all! This kind of stuff really pisses me off. Implies America is nothing more that a cash register. In spite of the fact that folks like to shop for bargins. This really shows that Mr Fermin Bermejo has NO IDEA of what being an American is all about. America is not now nor will it ever be for sell!

I'll see your $20 and raise you $5. Whatever it takes to get rid of them. I'm willing to pay!
I live near Hazelton and they've made a rathole out of the place. Already natives have been talking about moving out of town into the suburbs. It's a dam shame when you have to move out of your hometown because of a bunch of losers moving into YOUR town.
One thing that hasn't been discussed here is that during the spring, when Little League starts up, the hispanics in Hazelton asked for a "spanish" little league with spanish speaking coaches and umpires. They wanted money from the county government. Can you believe that? What gall!
The county refused to give them $ for it.
Most of the locals felt that they should all go to hell home and have their spanish little league.
Amazing!