Senate’s Failure on Immigration Puts Pressure on Local Officials
Editorial
Published: July 18, 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, these local officials are taking matters into their own hands -- and with mixed results. Here in Long Island in Farmingville, day laborers have been under attack for years. Steve Levy routinely introduces anti-immigrant legislation - from a bill last fall requiring companies to file affidavits to certify their employees are not undocumented immigrants, to recent “anti-loitering” legislation that was eventually defeated by the legislature. Not surprisingly, immigrants feel intimidated in this environment. Levy’s plans, prompted by frustration with our broken immigration system, are 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 650,000 undocumented immigrants in New York. In some Long Island towns, immigrants are valued. For example, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi has long endorsed hiring sites for day laborers, which provide resources for workers and bring order to communities. Relations with immigrants in Farmingdale have been largely affirmative. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Long Island and other parts of New York.
Most Americans recognize the contributions of hard-working, tax-paying immigrants and are ready for real reform. A recent Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll reports that 63% of respondents believe undocumented immigrants already in the country should start on the path to citizenship. And in fact, since the 2006 elections, polls show healthy public support for immigration reform. Also this majority understands that helping immigrants become part of the social, economic and cultural fabric builds stronger and healthier communities. The Senate refuses to listen to the American public. And so now the burden will continue to be borne by local cities and towns, around Long Island and across the country. Immigrant workers are men and women who clean offices, homes in Long Island, take care of children, the elderly, serve our food and work in many other industries.