Immigration task force presents ideas to council



By Paula Rhoden, The Daily Courier


Thursday, September 04, 2008

PRESCOTT - On Aug. 2, Prescott Mayor Jack Wilson gave the city council recommendations from his Advisory Committee on Immigration Issues.

The mayor formed the task force in November 2007 to study the issue of illegal immigrants and how they affect Prescott. Meeting regularly, the task force discussed such topics as employee shortages because of stricter enforcement; a lack of trust between the immigrant community and local law enforcement; and difficulty in getting out an understandable message.

The task force finished its discussion June 23, with little change in the views of most of its members. The task force consisted of members with widely different views, including a member of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and a representative of Prescott College's Aztlan Center.






The members found some common ground in the three recommendations presented to the city council Tuesday afternoon.

The committee recommended the council send a letter to the area's state legislative representatives and Arizona's U.S. Congressional delegation urging "comprehensive immigration reform."

The task force suggested the letter include:

• Creation of a guest-worker program. The committee said most illegal immigrants come to work, and a guest worker program would allow them a chance to do that without breaking the law.

• Secure the border, preventing illegal residents and workers.

• Put pressure on the federal government to reimburse local officials for the costs of illegal immigrants and recognize the federal obligation to do so.

• Inform the public about the full economic impact of immigration labor.

• Urge the federal government to develop reformed visa and citizenship application processes.

Councilwoman Lora Lopas suggested the council add Gov. Janet Napolitano to the mailing list.

Lopas said the governor has offered Arizona as a pilot state for a guest worker program.

The committee recommended the formation of a three-member city immigration advisory committee. The committee would deal with immigration-related issues as they arise in the community, eliminating the need to take every issue to the city council. The committee would include one member from the city and two members the city council would appoint.

The final recommendation was to schedule a public meeting featuring two speakers - Judith Gans, Director, Immigration Policy Program at the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona, and Yuma City Attorney Steve Moore.

Gans would present her report "Immigrants in Arizona: Fiscal and Economic Impacts." Moore would discuss the city of Yuma's experience with immigrants.

Task force member Minuteman Mel Oliverson said he was disappointed in the recommendation that the federal government take action. He said, "This is a local issue. I would ask the mayor to forward to the council other recommendations from the task force."

The city council will continue to discuss, and possibly approve, the recommendation during its Sept. 9 voting session.

Contact the reporter at prhoden@prescottaz.com

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