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| From:
Danbury Unity March |
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| Rell says immigration a
federal problem Governor calls on Washington for better policy By Fred Lucas THE NEWS-TIMES DANBURY - Illegal immigration is a problem, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said, but it is up to the federal government to provide the solution. "Many move here looking for a better home and a better way of life," Rell said Tuesday at a meeting of the Greater Danbury Area Chamber of Commerce. "We want to welcome them here, but we want them to be here legally." Rell asked state Public Safety Commissioner Leonard Boyle to work with U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Conner to come up with a solution on how the federal government can control or at least document immigrants and "get them into the system." It would be up to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deputize state or local police to serve as immigration agents, O'Conner said. "If a local police officer pulled a driver over and found he was an illegal immigrant, under the law he could not arrest him but would have to call federal immigration agents to do that," O'Conner said. "That's not practical." The federal agency trained state troopers in Alabama and Florida to do this work. Other states are considering it. The meeting with Connecticut and federal agencies was held last week and other federal remedies were discussed, but O'Conner said the discussion was confidential. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton initially asked the state to deputize state police to act as immigration agents. Rell said it is the federal government's responsibility, but the state could assist in the matter by contacting federal officials. Rell credited Boughton for his willingness to address the matter. "The mayor has done a good job of easing tensions and bringing people together," Rell said to reporters after the speech to the chamber. "If people are here and will use our services, we want them to be part of the so-called system so we can help them." Boughton also praised Rell. "The problem is that this issue has been twisted and turned," Boughton said. "Politicians, except for the governor, like to stick their head in the sand and pretend this problem is not going on. The federal government should either pony up the money to handle the people or do something about the policy." Boughton estimates the city has up to 10,000 illegal immigrants. He said this puts great pressure on the city's social services, hospital, non-profit organizations and housing. The issue is about "failed public policy," not immigration, he said. Maria-Cinta Lowe, executive director of the Hispanic Center of Greater Danbury, agreed the federal government needs to improve the immigration system. But she said the problem is it's too difficult and there are too many channels for immigrants to go through before becoming legal. "They come here to work," Lowe said. "They come here because they love America. Something has to change. Something has got to give." She said the city of Danbury owes a lot to the influx of immigrants. "Look at downtown Danbury and what do you see?" Lowe asked. "A vital downtown. Danbury was dead. Immigrants have made Danbury prosper." On June 12, there will be a unity march in Danbury sponsored by pro-immigrant groups opposed to what they see as rising anti-immigrant sentiments. The Danbury Common Council is considering an ordinance to curb large neighborhood volleyball games. Volleyball is a national pastime in Ecuador. Federal lawmakers are also exploring the immigration issue. President Bush has proposed a guest worker policy to track undocumented immigrants. A bill introduced in the Senate by several lawmakers including Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman would penalize those in the country who immigrated illegally, employers who hire illegal immigrants and initiate identification documents so an employer would know the person seeking a job is legal. Contact Fred Lucas at flucas@newstimes.com |
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