Thread: Protests as U.S. city gives illegal immigrants IDs

Protests as U.S. city gives illegal immigrants IDs

By Lucy Nalpathanchil
Reuters
Tuesday, July 24, 2007; 6:26 PM



NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (Reuters) - New Haven, Connecticut, on Tuesday became the first U.S. city to issue identification cards to illegal immigrants, as opponents of the controversial cards booed the mayor and its backers cheered.

About 250 people gathered at the city hall as New Haven started issuing the cards that grant access to services such as libraries and parks, and give illegal immigrants a chance to open bank accounts.

Supporters say the ID cards, which are offered to all New Haven's 124,000 residents, will improve public safety and give protections to its estimated 10,000 to 15,000 undocumented workers. Critics say they will invite illegal immigration, strain services and waste taxpayer money.

Shouting matches erupted as the two sides argued over the legality of the program, which comes as immigration reform is stalled in the U.S. Congress, leaving many cities to struggle with how to deal with a growing undocumented population.

Inside city hall, more than 100 residents, legal and illegal, waited in line to pick up or apply for the card.

"We are here for a long time and we need something to show that we are not bad people," said a man who identified himself as Marvin from Honduras who has lived in New Haven for 15 years. "We need something to show to check our records and show that nobody is running from anything."

About two dozen protesters from Southern Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Reform booed New Haven Mayor John DeStefano as he entered city hall, yelling: "Arrest him, arrest him. You're breaking the law, Johnny Boy."

The mayor did not acknowledge the crowd.

FEDERAL DEADLOCK

Later, when asked about the opposition, DeStefano said the city is dealing with an issue that the federal government has refused to address. "They don't have the will to pass a coherent immigration and border security program," he said.

"If we're going to be the safest place we can be, we need to acknowledge who lives here."

DeStefano said he doubted a plastic card in itself would spark an influx of illegal immigration.

"Immigration is largely driven by the desire of individuals to do better for themselves and for their children to have greater opportunity. That's what creates immigration patterns: work and opportunity. Not a piece of plastic."

Nadia Minor of Mexico, who came to New Haven with her family 12 years ago, said the cards were long overdue.

"I don't see what the big deal is. It's not giving us permanent resident status. I mean opening a bank account and being able to present an ID, is that something that is really wrong?" she said.

Two banks have agreed to accept the new card as identification sufficient for opening an account.

The Southern Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Reform hopes to block the program with a complaint filed with the U.S. Attorney's office in Connecticut, saying the program violates federal law, said Dustin Gold, a member of the group.

"Just because our fed officials will not enforce it, it does not give a municipal politician the right to bend and break the rules. The mayor has to be held accountable for this," he said.

Linda Hartman of Branford, Connecticut, said the program is wrong. "This should be done on a national level. I don't believe it should be done locally," she said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01773.html

They need to sue the mayor, charge him with treason before they find themselves surrounded. I feel sorry for them but I am still sending the flyers out to all the illegals in my neighborhood.

Mayor deStefano, you and your compadres are violating 8 USC ¶12 §1324(a) and INA 274, which outlaw aiding, abetting, harboring, or encouraging illegal aliens in the U.S.. The penalties are fines of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years FOR EACH INCIDENT. If an organization is found to be complicit in a RICO violation, it is liable for treble damages.

Whether or not you think you will be prosecuted, Mayor, your actions speak loudly to the nation:

LAWLESSNESS RULES IN NEW HAVEN, CT.!

And, Mayor, you and your city council are the perpetrators.
Your actions makes you felons, and you should be recalled from office and imprisoned.

"We are here for a long time and we need something to show that we are not bad people,"

That ID doesn't show that you are not bad people. The statistics show the FACTS! The only thing that's overdue is the expedient deportation of illegal invaders!

The mayor did not acknowledge the crowd.

Time to get out the tar and feathers!

New Haven has started a trend. Now Homestead, Florida is looking at doing the same according to the Miami Herald.

When did New Haven become Mexico? They are still considered part of the United States of American and are still under the Constitution of the United States. I don't recall Bush giving the freedom for each state or city to become there own little nation or part of Mexico. I think this is something that someone needs to go to prison over. This administration just allows everyone to run amuck. Our nation is running amuck and Bush is so out of control it is embaressing.

Originally Posted by Paige

This administration just allows everyone to run amuck. Our nation is running amuck and Bush is so out of control it is embaressing.

The Decider hasn't decided to do his job.