Thread: Newton Proposes Tough Illegal Immigration Laws

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Newton proposes tough illegal immigration laws


By Margaret Witt
Following a trend that’s been seen in places like Hazleton and Allentown, Pennsylvania and Palm Beach, Florida, Newton town Councilman Philip J. Diglio proposed the adoption of a new ordinance for the town of Newton that would tighten the town’s immigration laws. The new ordinance contains 2 major parts. The first would make it illegal to hire or rent out to an illegal immigrant, punishing any business or landlord that “aids and abets (i) the hiring of illegal aliens, (ii) providing, renting or leasing real property to illegal aliens and (iii) funding, providing goods and services to, or aiding in the establishment or continuation of any day labor center...” without verifying legal work status. The punishment would be in the form of fines ranging from $1000-$10,000 for landlords. For business owners it would mean being barred from approval of any business permits, including renewals, and any city contracts or grants for 5 years or more.

The ordinance calls for non-US citizens who are legal to register for a permit to work or live in Newton. They would need proper identification, which the town would then use to do a background check to assure authenticity of provided documents. When all is found to be in order, then the non-citizen would be issued a document that they could use to apply for a job or for housing. All landlords and employers would be required by law to ask for this document before renting to or hiring someone.

The second part of the ordinance calls for a declaration that “English is the official language in the town of Newton.” When asked what this would change or mean for the town, Diglio replied, “All documentation would be in English only, any forms, policies, anything computer-related.” Diglio felt this would save the system money on translations/translators.

Diglio also claimed the growing number of illegal immigrants is to blame for the increase in crime in Newton. He felt the financial strain put on taxpayers and the town was unfair, since “illegal immigrants don’t pay taxes, but their kids go to our schools; they use our hospitals, but have no insurance, which makes them wards of the state which taxpayers pay for in the end.” Diglio stated he has “respect for legal immigrants, [he] only has a problem with those illegal who are breaking the law.”

Councilman Joseph Ricciardo seemed to disagree with the “English Only” part of the ordinance, though. “I’m not convinced it’s necessary. We learn as generations grow older, and new ones are born here.”

Councilman Raymond Storm blamed “absentee landlords” who just want the rent money on the stacking and employers for breaking the law for hiring illegal immigrants to save themselves money on paying taxes. “I’m all for it. It puts an enormous strain on the town, schools, hospitals and police-- we have to subsidize them [illegal immigrants] being here.” The council will be discussing the measure and voting on it in three weeks at its Sept. 25 meeting.

Is Newton violating the Constitution?

Newton’s proposed ordinance to tighten immigration law has spawned criticism from a variety of groups and peoples. In a statement from Ed Barocas, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, he wrote, “If the Newton Town Council adopts this wrong-headed proposal, it will be subject to constitutional scrutiny like the other towns that have passed or plan to pass similar immigrant-exclusion ordinances. We believe these measures will be struck down. We believe this proposed law is unconstitutional and will make every person who looks or sounds foreign a suspect, including those who are here legally. You might as well paint a target on someone who is perceived to be a foreigner and say, ‘Treat me differently.’”

Katherine Sauchelli, former resident of Newton and instructor at Montclair State University stated her outrage, “Not just that the ‘English Only’ provision is not a separate bill, but tucked into the other one - coached in the idea of protecting the ‘safety’ of the people and perpetuating the stereotype that illegal immigrants are the only ones who cause trouble or are violent.”

Margaret Dworzycki is a resident of Newton from Poland who came here legally 15 years ago and is now a citizen. Dworzycki doesn’t disagree with the “English Only” law. “It forces you to learn the English language.”

Dworzycki pointed out how form, signs, etc., are usually in Spanish and English, and she and her husband had no such help when they came here. “They don’t help anyone from anywhere else. If you come here, learn the language.”

Dworzycki said she does understand, though, the plight of illegal immigrants, how many of them come here illegally hoping to become legal. “I feel for them,” she said.

The ACLU already has filed a lawsuit in Hazleton, Pa., along with Hispanic activists against the same ordinance passed there. When asked if a similar lawsuit would occur in Newton, spokesperson Annu Mangat said the lawsuit in Hazleton will help set precedence and echoed Barocas’ sentiment that such laws will be found to be illegal.

Thank goodness that there are people who woke up and smelled the coffee! They are doing the right thing by not being politically correct. I also agree with the Polish immigrants comment on English only. She is 100% correct when she said there were no signs in Polish to make it easier for her.

I think your right Swatchick,

We need to here more from the FIRST GENERATION LEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF AMERICA. They will all tell you that nobody laid out the read carpet with language translation when they came to America. (Signs, telephone service, TV, Cable, instructions, teacher translators in schools....I could go on and on...

What makes them so special. You are going to have a subnation in this country. Enough is enough. The Congress needs to here from the LEGAL FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANTS. I'm sure they are just as angry, just like this Polish American woman in the article.

I know My mother n law is mad. She wonders why they cater to the Spanish too!!