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New Ordinances Drafted In Valley Park To Drive Illegal Immigrants From City
created: 2/6/2007 10:50:07 PM
updated: 2/7/2007 12:14:44 AM
Click to watch Randy Jackson's report.



By Randy Jackson

(KSDK) - City leaders in Valley Park say they're targeting illegal immigrants, and with good reason.

They claim they're putting a stress on services and they've drafted two new ordinances to drive them from their city.

This is the second attempt by the city to keep illegal immigrants out; a St. Louis County Circuit Judge blocked the first attempt last summer.

"Tish," a manager at Valley Deli, embraces the local Hispanic community. She even has an aisle devoted to ethnic foods to encourage business.

"Whether their legal or illegal, businesses rely on people," says Tish. She asked that real name not be used.

But illegal immigrants aren't welcome by some members of the Valley Park Board of Alderman, who Monday night passed two ordinances.

One requires landlords to apply for occupancy permits proving a tenants citizenship.

The other would deny business licenses and city contracts to those who hire illegal immigrants.

Valley Park city attorney Eric Martin says the measures replace two other ordinances blocked by the courts.

"I think absolutely it does target undocumented persons who are unauthorized to be in this country," says Martin.

That includes people like Mario Tavares. Tavares is a roofer from Mexico who lives in an apartment complex in Valley Park.

He says, through an interpreter, if the ordinance is enforced, he would have to move.

Juan Carlos, a landscaper who lives in the same apartment complex, feels the ordinances are discriminatory.

"What if you can't work in Valley Park? Maybe I'll go back to Mexico, I don't want to," says Carlos.

But Valley Park leaders argue that even a city on the move can't carry an immigration burden.

"Communities are the first responders providing ambulance, police (and) fire protection. When you have persons that require services but they don't contribute, it's certainly a burden on the community," says Martin.

The city has already spent about $75,000 in legal fees while fighting to keep the illegal immigrants out -- a cost that one local merchant says is a waste.

"That 75 grand could have been spent on street work (or hiring) another police officer," says Tish.