An anti-illegal alien strategy takes root and thrives
Illegal immigration is the most explosive political issue of the day: a crisis played out locally, on street corners in small towns across the nation. The resentment against illegal aliens is so widespread and so easy to ignite that it provides a ready-made campaign theme for politicians in even the smallest villages.
As with many communities in Westchester and Rockland counties, Southeast and its Village of Brewster are struggling with an influx of mostly Hispanic immigrants, many of them here illegally. The immigrants, who hang around up and down Main Street waiting for work, often speak little English and are assumed to live in overcrowded, unsafe apartments. Many long-time residents complain that the newcomers have changed the character of village life, don't pay taxes and put a strain on public services.
Friday, President George W. Bush announced new plans for an administration-led crackdown, including tougher border control and employer-enforcement measures. He said he might even enlist state and local police in the effort. For many in the Lower Hudson Valley, fuming for at least a decade at the federal government's impotence on the issue, it must feel like "too little, too late.''
Nationwide, as Congress twiddled its thumbs on immigration, local politicians rushed in with their own proposals. In places like Mamaroneck in Westchester or Hazleton in Pennsylvania, local laws intended to drive illegal aliens out of town, or just stop them from gathering to wait for work, have been found by courts to be discriminatory and unconstitutional. Fighting the legal battles have cost small municipalities millions of dollars in legal fees and created widespread confusion. Not to mention division.
Choose your words wisely
The Save Our Southeast ticket proposes a town consumer affairs board that will only license contractors who agree to hire documented workers. Violators could be fined up to $5,000. Despite that proposal, winning SOS candidates would choose their words more carefully if they took office.
"Once elected, I will not use the specific words ('illegal immigrant' or 'day laborer') because those words are what trigger lawsuits,'' Neuringer told the Editorial Board. "I may continue to use the words 'contractor' and 'landlord.' We will be responsible legislators.''
But after a flurry of flyers and robo-calls filled with claims about "illegal aliens" bringing violent gangs to town and sullying a local beach, it may be hard to put that genie back in the bottle.
SOS' anti-illegal immigrant drumbeat has been so loud that opponents Degnan and Mitts haven't been able to get their messages heard. Forget talk of usual town issues - taxes, traffic, zoning, land use and development. Those have all been pushed to the background.
Degnan, 47, who was elected mayor in 2005, formed a village police department and established regular meetings between police and the Hispanic community. He installed video cameras on Main Street and is working on moving village hall to 50 Main St., a renovation project that he touts as a sign of Brewster's resurgence.
"I've got such a full agenda of positive things for the Village of Brewster,'' Degnan said. As town supervisor, he would advocate that the town and the village work together to revitalize Brewster.
And yet, it's unclear how many people have heard Degnan's message. He keeps getting tripped up by SOS' false charges, including one that called him a slumlord who contributes to the overcrowded housing problem. His tenants say he is not. Eleven of Degnan's tenants, including a disabled Vietnam veteran who uses a federal Section 8 housing subsidy, wrote to The Journal News expressing their anger at an SOS flyer.
"We are American citizens and proud residents," they wrote. "We are not illegal immigrants, welfare cheats or living in overcrowded apartments."
That's one danger of painting with a broad brush, particularly in a county like Putnam, where demographics are changing rapidly. According to Census figures released last week, from 2000 to 2006, the percentage of Hispanics in the county increased by 62 percent (3,715 people) and the percentage of African Americans increased by 68 percent (1,115 people).
Degnan has charged that a recent teen crime spree aimed at Hispanic residents and a deli - eggs, bottles and a rock were thrown - was inspired by the SOS team's angry rhetoric. The conflict has further escalated tensions in the village.
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