Deerfield could make a stand against illegal immigration
Apr 12, 2007

Deerfield Twp. may be the first Warren County government to take a progressive step toward addressing the issue of illegal immigration.

Township Trustee Chris Romano has proposed legislation that would require vendors — the township deals with approximately 100 outside contractors — to sign an affidavit vowing that they do not employ illegal immigrants. Romano says he likes to lead by example.

?It is a hot topic nationally, and in this state and my way of doing things is to lead from the start,? he said. ?It is in our purview as a township to do this and I believe we ought to be encouraging people to follow the law.?

If the township discovers one of its vendors has not been honest, the punishment will be the loss of the business relationship.

The board will likely vote on the legislation at its meeting Tuesday evening.

Judy Lehman is co-founder of Citizens for Legal Communities, a group formed last year after Kevin Barnhill, 27, was stabbed to death in Mason, allegedly by illegal immigrants. Lehman said she believes Deerfield is the first community to step up to the plate.

Her group has been visiting cities, townships and Warren County, urging them to take steps to curb the illegal alien population.

?If it takes going to these places 15 times, we?ll do it,? she said. ?This is a sensitive issue and we understand that, but we?ll help them get that courage.?

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