Thread: N.J.: They share expenses, say town's 'los ilegales'

They share expenses, say town's 'los ilegales'
Local immigration policy may lack legal backing
Sunday, July 13, 2008
BY RALPH R. ORTEGA
Star-Ledger Staff
Bound Brook, the small Somerset County town under a federal microscope for alleged discrimination toward Hispanic residents, had become a haven for immigrants who wanted to live and work in the borough long before the scrutiny began more than four years ago.

An influx of Latin Americans over the last 30 years has stayed in town, even after the federal Department of Justice in March 2004 revealed officials in Bound Brook had been accused of staging late-night housing inspections that seemed to only target Hispanic residents.

That devotion to staying in Bound Brook was again put to the test last week, when a councilman said he believed the town should crack down on immigrants who are in the United States illegally.

Council President Jim Lefkowitz was unsuccessful in getting support for his plan and, while the attempt sent chills throughout the immigrant community, many immigrants said they weren't about to start packing. Some were even defiant, claiming Bound Brook couldn't survive without them.

"They will be left with no one working here, and no one living here. Bound Brook would turn into a ghost town," said Hilda Losada, an Ecuadoran woman who entered the U.S. illegally and who has resided in the borough for 10 years.

The Hispanic population in Bound Brook grew by 500 percent between the 1980 and 2000 Census, and was estimated to be 35 percent of the town's total population, which is about 10,200 residents.

Social service advocates in the community claim the percentage is more like 70, based on anecdotal accounts of the number of immigrants who have depended on their services after entering the U.S. illegally.

Bound Brook, suffering economically from chronic floods, including a devastating one that came in the wake of Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and the departure of stores from its once thriving downtown, still attracted the immigrants.

Main Street became a hub for immigrants, who either rented cheap apartments and homes nearby, or came just to snatch the opportunities for doing business.

"I wanted to have my own business, and I wanted to run a restaurant. So, despite all the problems in Bound Brook, I decided to take a chance," said Jose Cordero, a Costa Rican chef and one of three partners who took over Cynthia's Cafe almost three months ago.

Complaints of racism also followed the wave of immigrants into Bound Brook, which settled a complaint made by the federal Department of Justice in March 2004 after local officials were caught staging surprise middle-of-the-night housing inspections that were allegedly designed to force out Hispanic residents.

Bound Brook paid $455,000 to settle claims of discrimination made against its housing officials, and has remained under federal monitoring ever since.

Officials in Bound Brook were unsure how justice officials would react to the crackdown Lefkowitz proposed on the heels of controversial immigration reforms that have rocked other towns in New Jersey.

His resolution would have laid the framework for ordinances that would require police to determine the immigration status of anyone arrested, and landlords to inquire who among their tenants was legal and who was not.

Lefkowitz, a Republican serving his third year as a councilman, said he had hoped his proposal would begin curtailing the expense illegal immigration has had on the community.

Bound Brook, he said, faces a $1.5 million deficit in its proposed budget for 2009, and has placed an unfair burden on taxpayers for the municipal, law enforcement and educational costs that resulted from not tackling the problem of illegal immigration.

"There's a real call to action on the local level," he said, echoing supporters of national immigration reform. Lefkowitz promised he would push to have his resolution turned into a voter question in November, after the council chose not to support him last week.

" Bound brook is a sanctuary city, that's what they said," he quipped.

Ed Barocas, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said Bound Brook doesn't have the legal backing for an immigration policy of its own.

"Immigration, as a whole, is not a matter left to local towns. Otherwise in New Jersey, we'd have 566 different immigration policies," he said, referring to the number of municipalities in the state.

Lefkowitz admitted he's no legal expert, but said the resolution should go forward, regardless of legal threats. He added he also was flooded with e-mails and phone calls of support.

Bound Brook resident Jerry Pane, who complained taxes were skyrocketing, agreed with Lefkowitz the cost of illegal immigration was partially to blame.

"We've been paying for their schooling and so many other things, and I don't think it's right," said Pane, a retired union construction worker who has lived in town for 49 years.

Immigrants in the community argue they too share in the town's expenses.

"Do you know how much people pay Uncle Sam in taxes, and they can't claim benefits because they are illegal?" asked Isabel Murillo, a resident of Bound Brook for 11 years.

The 43-year-old Costa Rican woman, who also entered the U.S. illegally, is a mother of three children, including one who was born in the United States.

Murillo gives computer lessons for a living, and is proud of her limited English and ability to read English-language newspapers. She read about the Lefkowitz plan in a local newspaper, she said, and doubted it could be enforced in a town like Bound Brook.

She said landlords and business people would be unwilling to give up the lucrative business they get from the immigrant community, which also has its strong supporters among nonimmigrants.

"There are many good people in this country who have opened their doors to us, los ilegales, (Spanish for the illegals)" she said. "And they have given millions of Hispanic families from all over Latin America, the opportunity to improve their quality of life."

www.nj.com

"Do you know how much people pay Uncle Sam in taxes, and they can't claim benefits because they are illegal?" asked Isabel Murillo, a resident of Bound Brook for 11 years.

I'm speechless

We should start collecting examples to send to Obama after his 'immigrants WILL learn English' speech. I just read the interview with Flor in Chicago.
After all these years she only knows the basics. This lady has been here 11 years and has limited English. I'm sure the examples are in the millions.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Do you know how much people pay Uncle Sam in taxes, and they can't claim benefits because they are illegal?" asked Isabel Murillo, a resident of Bound Brook for 11 years.

The 43-year-old Costa Rican woman, who also entered the U.S. illegally, is a mother of three children, including one who was born in the United States.

Murillo gives computer lessons for a living, and is proud of her limited English and ability to read English-language newspapers.

The Hispanic population in Bound Brook grew by 500 percent between the 1980 and 2000 Census, and was estimated to be 35 percent of the town's total population, which is about 10,200 residents.

Social service advocates in the community claim the percentage is more like 70, based on anecdotal accounts of the number of immigrants who have depended on their services after entering the U.S. illegally.

THIS is why the schools in this town are FAILING. Most of the town's coucil send their kids to PRIVATE schools, but they and 30% of the population are still paying for it all!

NO ONE (taxpayers) wants to move to a town full of illegal aliens and that's why it's a tragedy. Legal immigrants (especially hispanics) have left in droves.

Three families could be "sharing" a one-bedroom home and the town refuses to enforce overcrowding ordinances! The mayor has aspirations to be a senator one day, but is scared of the DOJ ruling and will do NOTHING to stop this train wreck!!!

Some of the officials are corrupt (and have been caught!) and lawlessness abounds. One nightclub/dance club is allowed to violate laws over and over again and when caught this time, they got a small fine and lost their liquor license for 8 days. Those days will be Tuesdays, when they are slow or normally closed! WTF kind of slap on the wrist is that?!?!?!

How do I know all this? I used to live in that town and got tired of being harassed by the illegal aliens who got away with everything. I took my tax dollars elsewhere.

Social service advocates in the community claim the percentage is more like 70, based on anecdotal accounts of the number of immigrants who have depended on their services after entering the U.S. illegally.

That says it all and how dare this woman claim they are paying taxes and can't claim benefits. The illegal squatters are soaking up any and all services, freebies and welfare they can get. Who pays for the children's births and their subsequent care????

THis is unbelievable and the federal govt. is overstepping it's constitutional bounds when it tries to interfere in the operations of a township which is only trying to stop ILLEGAL activity.

Originally Posted by ourcountrynottheirs

"Do you know how much people pay Uncle Sam in taxes, and they can't claim benefits because they are illegal?" asked Isabel Murillo, a resident of Bound Brook for 11 years.

I'm speechless

I am glad I don't live there!!

Bound Brook paid $455,000 to settle claims of discrimination made against its housing officials, and has remained under federal monitoring ever since.
What a shame ! These dopes need a lesson in planning. That much cash could have easily have gotten them into the 287G program and that would have been the end of their problem !!

Originally Posted by lateone

Bound Brook paid $455,000 to settle claims of discrimination made against its housing officials, and has remained under federal monitoring ever since.
What a shame ! These dopes need a lesson in planning. That much cash could have easily have gotten them into the 287G program and that would have been the end of their problem !!

The boro council caved and did not defend themselves. Guess what? There were ZERO claims! BOZOS is right!

Bound Brook is known throughout latin america as a sanctuary city, where town officials do nothing. A latino nightclub is allowed to operate in a residential area despite residents complaints of numerous and flagrant violations.

After the 1999 flood, homes were sold cheaply to "flippers" who fixed them up and sold at a profit or as rental properties. There are more than 100 homes for sale in a 1.7 sq. mile area. NO ONE is buying, even before the housing crisis hit.

The main street is overrun with businesses that cater to illegal aliens, empty storefronts and no new business.

The damages caused by illegal aliens in this town is very real. The school district is one of the worst in the state. No wonder taxpayers are leaving in droves.