Cannon blasts Congress' inaction on immigration

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Councilman says letters to leaders seeking advice on illegals were ignored
BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer


"If this is the response from our federal government, it's only going to get worse." - Michael Cannon Councilman



MATAWAN - The federal government does not care about illegal immigration.
That is the conclusion Councilman Michael Cannon came to after receiving a letter from U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (DNJ). Cannon announced his disappointment at the Oct. 16 Borough Council meeting, explaining that he recently wrote to several federal representatives in Washington, D.C., in search of advice regarding undocumented workers and the cost of educating the children of resident illegal immigrants.

Only Menendez responded to Cannon's call for advice. Local Congressman Frank Pallone and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, both Democrats, had not written back as of press time.

Menendez's letter hit a sore spot with fellow Democrat Cannon, who called it the type of "form letter sent to any poor slob."

"If this is the response from our federal government, it's only going to get worse," Cannon said, "because they don't care."

Menendez's letter contained no specific advice on the topic, used broad generalities and focused largely on criticizing the current administration while praising former President Bill Clinton's administration for its policies on undocumented workers.

"While not perfect, I believe the best option is a policy that forces undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and bestows on them the opportunity to earn permanent residency after going to the back of the waiting line, paying back taxes and fines, passing a criminal background check and learning English," the senator's letter said.

Although Menendez does not specify how the federal government might accomplish these goals, save for using "enhanced enforcement efforts" and "new immigration and labor laws," he does point out the theoretical benefits of such a plan, including combating terrorism.

"This policy will encourage immigrants to register their names and biometric information with the government, which will assist us in identifying who is here to seek the American dream versus who is here to destroy it through criminal or terrorist acts," Menendez said.

Cannon's frustration comes on the heels of Councilman Paul Buccellato's controversial proposal to allow the police department to run background checks on undocumented workers who congregate outside the 7-Eleven near the corner of Route 516 and High Street. Buccellato brought up the idea at a September council meeting, noting that his program would be voluntary, cost a small fee and would result in the issuance of an identification card to be used by the worker when being picked up for day labor.

Cannon, clearly dismayed by the lack of available advice on the matter, said Menendez's letter did not give him "even a bit of hope." He encouraged the audience to take copies of the letter home with them, offering photocopies of the document to anyone interested.

"Take this letter to the polls with you and tell them if this is what you want to hear," Cannon said.