Thread: Palm Bay to penalize hiring illegals

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.d ... 21001/1086

21, 2006

Palm Bay to penalize hiring illegals

LINDA JUMP
FLORIDA TODAY

Council takes a step to keep undocumented workers out.

On Aug. 3, the city council will consider for the first of two readings an ordinance holding business owners responsible for illegal immigrants who work for them.

Council members listened to a dozen speakers on both sides of the issue Thursday. Members agreed to move forward with a non-criminal version of an ordinance that calls for a $200 fine.

At times, the meeting became heated and Mayor John Mazziotti took three five-minute breaks when discussion became contentious among the 150 people in attendance.

Councilman Andy Anderson, who suggested the ordinance two months ago, said undocumented workers give unscrupulous employers an unfair advantage because they don't pay worker's compensation and encourage more illegal immigrants to enter the U.S.

"It's clear the federal government is still a long way from addressing illegal immigration," he said.

He said illegal workers are also victimized, and legal workers are overlooked because they cost an employer more in wages and benefits. He also said their backgrounds and criminal histories aren't known. "I think this is just as important as eminent domain and our sexual predator laws," Anderson said.

Sam Lopez, president of United Third Bridge and a Puerto Rican advocate, said allowing police to question workers about their legal status will open the door to abuse. "Today, it could be to turn over our names. The next day, it could be our HIV status and anything they want."

Lopez and other speakers threatened a lawsuit if city officials move ahead. He asked city officials instead to sit with representatives of ethnic groups to work out employment concerns.

Yolanda Gomez of Fellsmere said she came as an illegal immigrant at age 9 in 1976 and worked picking fruit. "That story repeats in a lot of families," Gomez said.
She said she became a legal citizen in 1995, but it was difficult. "Sometimes we're not welcome here, but we fill a market," she said.

About two-thirds of the audience stood, when asked, to show they were born outside the U.S. But those who spoke were about equally for and against an ordinance targeting illegal workers.

Mazziotti said the purpose of the ordinance is not to round up illegal immigrants and convict them. "I'm not saying they need to go back. The point is they need to be documented just everyobne else," he said.

He said police must have probable cause and "won't go after people walking down the street who look different."

Contact Jump at 409-1423 or ljump@brevard.gannett.com.

Although $200 is nothing, I am happy a city in Florida is at least making a ripple. I did not think anything would ever happen in this state. I am only about an hour south of this city, maybe the ripple will run this way.