Restaurant profits benefit families of illegal immigrants

by News Channel 8's Annie Rourke
Posted June 14, 2007
9:25 PM

(New Haven-WTNH)_Hospitality is on the menu for many restaurants in downtown New Haven. It's all part of a plan to help families affected by the arrests of illegal immigrants in the city.

A mojito party marked the end of Roomba, the Latin-theme Chapel Street restaurant on Thursday night. The fond farewell was also raising money as part of a downtown dining district benefit. For the most part, the idea has been well-received.

"I think that if any needs help on any level," said Peter Holm, New Haven. "It's appropriate to help them and feeding them or any way you can do it, I think is fine."

Close to a dozen hot spots are getting involved, places like Thali on Orange Street, Kudeta on Temple Street, Cafe Adulis and Bespoke on College Street and the Union League Cafe and Scoozzi's on Chapel Street. They are donating 10 percent of their profits and tips to Junta for Progressive Action.

That money, in turn, will go to local families effected by last week's federal raids on undocumented people. But organizers say, they're not trying to take a stand on illegal immigration.

"It's not a political statement, we just want to help feed some families that need it and make sure their rents get paid," said Suzette Camacho of Roomba.

Camacho said with all the attention New Haven has had over the controversial I.D. cards, then the raids and arrests they're simply trying to show solidarity with the community.

Not everyone is sure it's appropriate, Joseph Zgola of Ansonia said his grandfather emigrated here from Poland.

"He came through Ellis Island and he learned English and he was a legal immigrant," said Zgola.

Zgola believes all this controversy is not about language or culture, just money.

"The corporate people want them here, they want them here because they work hard and they work for a lot of cases for less money, it's called economics," said Zgola.

At least 13 restaurants were involved in tonight's benefit. There have not been any federal raids in restaurants in New Haven, but some undocumented workers have been arrested in Hamden and North Haven.

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=6661891&nav=3YeX