Thread: Mayor Proposes Restrictions on Illegals

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http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/ ... legals.txt

Local News for Northwest Arkansas

Mayor Proposes Restrictions on Illegals

By Lori Harrison-Stone
The Morning News
ROGERS -- Mayor Steve Womack is so angry that illegal immigrants were likely involved in Friday's shooting of a Rogers police officer that he wants some local laws to address the issue.

Womack confirmed Thursday he has asked City Attorney Ben Lipscomb to look into possible city ordinances addressing the issue.

Womack said it's unacceptable more than half the hard drug cases city narcotics officers deal with involve illegal immigrants.

"If something's not done about it, we're going to lose control of the quality lifestyle we enjoy," he said Thursday.

Manny Gomez, president of the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, is "surprised" Womack would react so strongly to what he called "an isolated incident." Drugs are a growing problem everywhere and aren't limited to just illegal immigrants bringing them in, Gomez said.

"You're going to get everything coming across the border," Gomez said. "You're not going to get just angels or hard working people."

R. Shawn McGrew, who is active politically and a member of the group, said such local regulations will send the wrong message about a community that's becoming known for its diversity and the economic development it supports. Illegal immigration needs to be addressed on a national level, he said.

"We need to continue to encourage diversity and unity in the community, not go backwards," McGrew said.

In an e-mail this week to Rogers City Council members, a copy of which was obtained through an Arkansas Freedom of Information request, Womack wrote the intent is "not to come across anti-immigrant" but to address an issue that isn't being properly addressed on a national level.

"We have many wonderful immigrant people who are doing the right thing, doing the things expected of people who come to our country," he said Thursday, adding those immigrants should be just as concerned about those who are here illegally.

With the e-mail to council members, Womack attached copies of a law from Hazleton, Penn., as "information only" and noted he asked the city's legal staff to come up with possible ordinances on the issue that will be "useful" to Rogers.

Lipscomb said Thursday he believes the Pennsylvania law is "rock solid," and defensible legally. It addresses the issue as "a nuisance" and nuisance abatement is something the city has plenty of power to regulate, he said. He's planning to present Womack with a similar ordinance for Rogers, but he said it will have stronger language when it comes to what constitutes a nuisance.

The Hazleton law, the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, calls for a $1,000-per-day fine on any landlord who rents to an illegal immigrant and revokes for five years the business license of any business hiring an illegal immigrant. It also makes English the city's official language and bans city employees from translating documents without official authorization.

Womack said he hopes his suggestion generates some "wholesome constructive discussion" that will help Rogers officials address the issue.

Alderman Mark Kruger declined to comment on the plan until he sees a proposed ordinance. Alderman Bob Goodwin said he'll support it if it helps out the Rogers Police Department.

Womack, who is running unopposed for his position in November, said he knows the suggestion may affect the next election. But, he said, "there's no good solutions for what we're facing and somebody has to do something."

THE ISSUE

Local Immigration Law

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack has suggested the city consider new regulations to deal with illegal immigrants. In an e-mail informing Rogers City Council members of his proposal, Womack wrote, "We have businesses employing them and landlords renting to them. That said, perhaps it is time our city took a leadership position that members of Congress are apparently unwilling to take."

"We need to continue to encourage diversity and unity in the community, not go backwards," McGrew said.


How about moving FORWARD and deporting all the illegals?

Manny Gomez, president of the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, is "surprised" Womack would react so strongly to what he called "an isolated incident."

It's the minimizing the fact that illegal aliens are killing us. Manny, they are criminals!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not suprised, what if it had been your family member? NO it is not isolated. It happens every darn day!

Dixie