Fremont paying a heavy price
Fremont paying a heavy price
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 1:00 pm
Hub Opinion
What happens when a community attempts to shut out minorities? Ask Fremont, where voters in 2010 approved an ordinance requiring businesses and landlords to verify the people they hire or rent to are not illegal immigrants.
The ordinance leaves many of Fremont’s Hispanic residents feeling fearful and unwelcome. Potential residents and businesses thinking about moving to Fremont also are having reservations. The ordinance has given Fremont a black eye.
People who support the law claim it’s unfair that legal residents pay the cost of governmental services provided to illegal immigrants. The supporters may have a point, but standing on their principles is costly, and it’s tough to imagine how any open-minded person could believe the return from the controversial law is worth the huge risk to the city’s image, economy and future growth.
Enforcing the ordinance and defending it against legal challenges is costly. So far Fremont has spent about $1.5 million.
Lost economic opportunity, excessive legal costs and bad publicity have prompted the Fremont City Council to look into repealing at least part of the controversial law — the part that deals with tenant verification. An angry crowd confronted the elected leaders Tuesday during the first of three public hearings.
“It’s despicable. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves,” scolded a supporter of the ordinance, which went before voters in 2010 after a petition drive.
Expressing the human toll of the ordinance, a third-generation American of Hispanic heritage said the law has fueled fear and that her family has suffered insults from people who assume they are not citizens.
Hopefully, the people who feel emboldened by the ordinance to harass others they believe are illegal may eventually realize that diversity strengthens communities, while trying to shut out certain groups holds everyone back.
In Fremont’s case, the influx of almost 2,200 Hispanics between 2000 and 2010 helped the community post a population gain of 1,200. If the Hispanic population had not tripled to almost 3,200, census results might have been negative for the city of 26,000.
Fortunately, many of Fremont’s elected officials and business leaders are attempting to reverse some of the damage from their community’s misguided law. But setting aside a voter-approved measure isn’t easy. Fremont residents who care about their community’s image, economy and future growth also need to step up and speak out.
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