Immigration burden
Published: July 14, 2007
By failing to fix a broken immigration system, Congress has left the job of managing immigration to mayors and other local elected officials.
In the absence of federal immigration reform, local officials are taking matters into their own hands -- with mixed results. Here in New Jersey, Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello seeks to deputize local police officers as federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. This misguided policy will divert limited city funds away from local services, creating tension between longtime residents and newcomers. Even worse, asking local police to enforce federal immigration laws drives a wedge between police and immigrants when it comes to crime prevention. Cresitello's plan, prompted by frustration with our broken immigration system, is not a solution.
Such anti-immigrant policies, coupled with raids and deportations, underscore the desperate need for immigration reform. But instead of targeting undocumented immigrants, local officials should be looking for ways to integrate them into our communities.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, there are an estimated 425,000 undocumented immigrants in New Jersey. And in some New Jersey towns, immigrants are valued. For example, in Hightstown, immigrants have been welcomed and even encouraged to participate in town life. Hightstown Mayor Robert Patten, who has set up a Latino advisory committee, has established an array of social services for immigrants, including free bilingual computer classes. That's the kind of leadership we need in New Jersey.
Most Americans recognize the contributions of hard-working, tax- paying immigrants and are ready for real reform. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans understand that helping immigrants become part of the social, economic and cultural fabric builds stronger and healthier communities.
One hopes that municipalities will follow the example of places like Hightstown and integrate immigrants and their families into the community with sound policies that are in line with our economic interests and humane values. Following the Morristown example will lead only to more alienation, intimidation and discrimination against immigrants in our communities and further racial and ethnic tension in our cities.
Until the president and Congress can muster the political will to fix our immigration system, New Jersey mayors are unfairly charged with the very tough job of dealing with our country's immigration crisis. Let's hope they have the wisdom and the courage to lead us down the right path.
Mike Fishman is president of Local 32BJ Service Employees International Union. With more than 85,000 members -- many of whom are immigrant workers -- in six states and Washington, D.C., including New Jersey, Local 32BJ is the largest property services union in the United States.