"It was not going to have any practical impact on any immigrants in Evanston," Tisdahl said. "It did create a lot of hate mail and a lot of focus on illegal immigrants in Evanston, which is just what they don't need."
Evanston resident John Drennan voiced his concern about the legality of the original resolution at council meetings.
He feared the resolution would preempt federal law by directing city workers not to ask about immigration status. He opposes the passed resolution because it calls for Congress to implement a specific immigration platform, including amnesty, and residents weren't adequately included in council discussions, he said.
"I asked the city council to consider doing this via referendum because it is a complicated issue, and a multitude of citizens aren't going to wholeheartedly agree," Drennan said. "They refused to do that. They haven't asked citizens how they feel about it, and I'm disconcerted about that."
Fortino Leon, who immigrated to Evanston from Mexico in 1995, said he meets people in his neighborhood who are afraid to complain about mistreatment because they don't want to expose their immigration status. These people may be denied public services, including treatment at local clinics, he said.
"Unfortunately, there are people who have been treated differently and don't want to come forward to file a complaint," Leon said. "The government should be the sole entity that asks for legal documents. City officials should not; they are not an immigration office."
Those who supported the bill plan to continue looking for ways to impact immigration reform and to protect the rights of all Evanston residents, even though the city did not pass the resolution they had proposed.
"Some people live in the shadows, and they are afraid to come out of those shadows," said Robert Oldershaw , pastor emeritus of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 806 Ridge Ave. "We wanted to say very clearly that this community welcomes you. This community does not condition our services on your immigration status."
kirstinmaguire2007@u.northwestern.edu
2008 Woodie Awards
The DAILY encourages you to share your thoughts on this story. Please help us keep the discussion lively, but civil. Comments that are abusive to others, off-topic or vulgar, or comments that misrepresent someone's identity, will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to delete any comments in violation or to close comment threads on articles.
Please e-mail online@dailynorthwestern.com to flag a comment or for more information.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Roger Chaillet
posted 4/04/08 @ 9:20 AM CST
Why is citizenship seen as an entitlement?
They should be deported, forcibly, if necessary.
I live in Dallas, Texas. I assure Rachel Heuman that if she were living here she would not be calling for citizenship for illegals. (Continued…)
Buzzm1
posted 4/04/08 @ 10:38 AM CST
The costs of the free benefits received by illegal immigrants, to American taxpayers, is every bit as much as the cost of the War In Iraq.......think about it, please. (Continued…)
MikeN
MikeN
posted 4/04/08 @ 3:41 PM CST
Which country allows in more legal immigrants than all other countries combined?
Answer: The United States, the most compassionate & giving country, bar none
Now,let's look at illegal immigration & understand the destruction & anarchy it causes
Business interests have learned long ago that can can hire a new illegal serf labor class which brings with it higher profits. (Continued…)
Bobby
posted 4/04/08 @ 3:47 PM CST
A path to citizenship which all that implies. The same benefits legal citizens receive without all the negatives, since they will really be eligible for all the social services then, paid for by the good old taxpayers. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 4/04/08 @ 5:52 PM CST
Stop complaining about the illegal immigration occupation of our nation! Unless we act now the new president will enact a new AMNESTY for the 12 to 20 million illegal entrants. (Continued…)
Margaret
posted 4/04/08 @ 6:55 PM CST
Illegal is illegal, the end. Please keep in mind the larger picture....The North American Union (SPP-http://www.spp.gov/) which encourages the free flow of people, goods and services. (Continued…)
Post a Comment