http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=4431083&nav=3YeX

(Danbury-WTNH, Jan. 30, 2006 6:00 PM) _ A perceived misuse of money prompts a protest in Danbury.

by News Channel 8's Alan Cohn

Why are Danbury residents paying to send the children of illegal immigrants to school? Why is taxpayer money subsidizing their health care? Those were the issues raised in today's protest but they're part of the larger and often times ill tempered debate.

"It's good to see someone is actually trying to do something."

Protesters were trying to make a point that Danbury's resources- police, fire, housing, healthcare, and education- are being strained to the limit by the number of illegal aliens who have flocked here.

"We're here to protest the amount of tax dollars that are going for the benefit of illegal aliens specifically children who are here illegally and they are in our schools," says Elise Marciano, Protester.

But the group from U.S. Citizens for Immigration Enforcement were often heckled and jeered by passers by.

Danbury continues to be Ground Zero when it comes to the debate over illegal immigration in Connecticut. A massive pro-immigration march was held last summer. Those who want a crack down on illegal immigration protest regularly.

"We can't control them. We can't count them. They are just like herds of people who run around. It's anarchy. It's chaos," says Bill Tibbe, protester.

"Who have the problem here? Them- not us. We're working like a horse. Go around see all the lazy bums. Spanish people aren't lazy," says Nelson Sanchez, Danbury.

This kind of debate, through competing protests and rallies, isn't helpful says Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton.

"I don't think it really helps in terms of focusing the debate where it belongs clearly the debate belongs in Washington," says Boughton.

Mayor Boughton is organizing a conference in Washington this Spring along with mayors and municipal leaders from around the nation.

The goal will be to put pressure on the federal government to do something about the immigration issue.