Thread: 'Illegals not welcome' in Mint Hill

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... /608250302

Article published Aug 25, 2006

'Illegals not welcome'

Mint Hill in Mecklenburg County makes an unlikely focal point for the debate about illegal immigration.

Its 18,000 residents for the most part are well-to-do, comfortable and homogenous. The 2000 Census fixed median family income at $67,055 (compared to $50,192 in Greensboro). Median home value was $143,400. Eighty-eight percent of the population was white, 6 percent black and 3 percent Hispanic.

Recently, more Latinos have arrived. Some live in modest apartments and mobile homes. Last year, a grisly murder involving illegal immigrants sparked fears of increasing crime.

The changes worry Lloyd Austin, a member of the Mint Hill Board of Commissioners, who wants to send a message to illegal immigrants: Don't come here to live or work.

"You've got to start making a statement somewhere," he said Thursday.

His statement is a proposed ordinance declaring that English is Mint Hill's official language and imposing penalties on individuals or businesses that rent property to or hire anyone who isn't a legal U.S. resident.

The measure, modeled after an ordinance adopted last month by Hazelton, Pa., which already faces a lawsuit, is being studied by Mint Hill's attorney. Other towns across the country, including Landis, N.C., are considering similar initiatives.

So far, Austin's effort hasn't garnered much applause: "I've been called all kinds of names," he said. "I've been called racist. It's not a racist issue."

A barber, Austin said his business neighbors include people from India, Korea and Mexico, all here legally.

"I'm for people coming here, if they get the proper paperwork," he said.

Mint Hill leaders should be careful, however, that this ordinance doesn't give legal immigrants the opposite impression -- that there isn't room for them in their town.

The English-only proposal bothers Father James Hawker, pastor of Saint Luke Catholic Church in Mint Hill. His parish has grown from 630 families to 1,300 in five years. Not many of the newcomers so far are immigrants, but he expects more. The church already prints some material in Spanish.

"The people in my parish would want a manifestation of welcome, hospitality and respect," he said Thursday.

Austin insisted his ordinance makes no demands that aren't required by federal law, but which are seldom enforced. Employers and landlords already are supposed to check residency status, although they're not expected to verify the authenticity of anyone's documents.

Austin hopes Mint Hill makes a statement to Washington, too: "We're a town of 18,000 people and we want something done. Why don't you get off your rear ends and do something?"

Federal inaction, though inexcusable, doesn't invite Mint Hill to take over enforcement of immigration laws. But politicians in the nation's capital should heed the warning: If they don't get off their rear ends, more small towns like Mint Hill will join the fray over this volatile issue.

Mint Hill leaders should be careful, however, that this ordinance doesn't give legal immigrants the opposite impression -- that there isn't room for them in their town.

Excuse me? Who wrote this opinion phrase into the middle of this article as if it is fact? Hello? Editors? This belongs in quotes from a source or in the opinion section.

W

Austin hopes Mint Hill makes a statement to Washington, too: "We're a town of 18,000 people and we want something done. Why don't you get off your rear ends and do something?"

The DC bunch there now are corrupted, only care about themselves. Gosh I wish this country would wake up and vote most of them out of there.

But politicians in the nation's capital should heed the warning: If they don't get off their rear ends, more small towns like Mint Hill will join the fray over this volatile issue.

We need thousands of towns passing "Hazeltown" laws....it will keep the ACLU and the rest of the anti-American groups in a tizzy trying to keep up.

I read an article today about what the various states are doing. I would love to have information to send to my mayor about how many cities are starting to join Hazleton. I've read dozens, also 'dozens and dozens'... My city did not openly discuss this issue at the Aug 21st council meeting (I sent them all information/article and asked them to discuss this issue). I'm keeping an eye on it.

Think of me if any information like this comes out. In the meantime I am posting articles on our town site.

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