March 30, 2006


Immigration hot topic at City Council meeting

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

Immigration has been a hot topic throughout the United States for the past week, so it was no surprise that it was on Tuesday’s City Council agenda. It contained a resolution to oppose the Comprehensive Immigration Reforms Act proposed in House bill HR4437.

With protest marches being held throughout the country, including San Francisco and 10,000 people in San Jose, and with students cutting classes to march against the potential immigration reforms, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to oppose any potential U.S. reforms that are not “fair and balanced.”

The more than one-hour discussion began with a recommendation proposed by Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez and Councilmembers Linda LeZotte, Dave Cortese and Madison Nguyen.

They felt the bill passed by the House of Representatives (HR4437) was unjust because it contained some elements that would criminalize illegal immigrants and those who aid them.

Under the bill, people who have entered the United States illegally would be considered felons, and people aiding them—such as clergy or even those leaving water for them in the desert so they won’t die—would also be considered felons.

“I’m appropriately concerned that the United States is producing legislation that criminalizes human kindness and service to others. It’s destructive to our nation,” said District 9 City Councilmember Judy Chirco.

“It’s like a science fiction movie,” added District 6 Councilmember Ken Yeager. “It’s very frightening.”

“This is a nation of immigrants,” said District 4 Councilmember Chuck Reed. “Much of what is being said [by Congress and some U.S. citizens] is a repeat of what was said when the Irish, Italians and Polish people came here. Instead of putting clergy in jail, we need to secure our borders, both north and south and enforce laws against employers who exploit immigrants. We need to focus on safety and security for our nation.”

Stopping the house bill is just the beginning, said District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle. “We need to look at our immigration laws. We shouldn’t be allowing predators to take advantage of people who want to come here [for a better life]. Someone bringing in materials for a dirty bomb is of far more concern to me than immigrants looking for a better life.”

The recommendation provoked a large reaction from the gallery. More than a dozen speakers from the public came forward to show their support for the council members’ measure, with only one speaker dissenting. Most noted they were in favor of comprehensive immigration reform, but were opposed to the stringent measures in the House bill.

One speaker, who said he was a city employee, noted that he and his fellow workers didn’t want to be turned into “immigration police.” His job, he said, was to help the people who live in San Jose “to provide services regardless of where people live or where they come from.”

“It’s really important for us to make a statement for humanity. We have an obligation to make a statement,” said Cortese. The United States, he said, has never made hard working people into criminals, no matter where they came from. “Never before in the history of this country has it been illegal for a priest [or any other member of the clergy] to have a conversation with illegals.”

District 2 Councilmember Forrest Williams called the bill “un-American.” He and several others on the city council commented that most of the people coming into this country are just looking for a better life.

“It’s not enough to send a message that we don’t support this bill. People come here searching for a better life. They create opportunities for mom to go to school past the seventh grade. They are searching for the American dream to offer chances for their families. The 10th largest city in the United States won’t accept anything that doesn’t allow its people to have rights,” added District 5 Councilmember Nora Compos.