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From: ELAINE
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 9:06 AM
To: Chuck Le Mieux
Subject: Illegals all over the country
It's a blight all over the US apparently. ~ Elaine
Chicago store owner being squeezed
out by illegal alien street vendors
Chad Groening
One News Now
October 25, 2007
An
immigration reform organization is trying to help a Chicago storeowner who
is being squeezed out by unlicensed street vendors who are in the country
illegally.
Susan Tully of the Federation for American Immigration Reform <http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer> (FAIR) says her organization is appalled that the city of Chicago is refusing to do anything to help the shop owner who is paying $2,500 a month rent, as well as all the licensing fees to legitimately run his business. Tulley says the illegal aliens are operating over a dozen carts in the vicinity of the store.
"The city code enforcement officers who do the business license inspection have told him that the council person in charge of that area has told them hands off. They're not allowed to require a health permit or a business license of those food carts -- and here he is expected to compete," she says.
Tully says FAIR wants to show that reverse discrimination is taking place in Chicago. She says it is very difficult for the shop owner to compete when illegal immigrants have more rights than he does. She laments that illegal aliens have "a whole set of rights and free reign" to do whatever they want, but an American citizen who wants to do the right thing is penalized.
Comments (2)
Ed C:
Illegals are squeezing not
only merchants above, but I have direct experiences with illegals:
1-
squeezing our hospital emergency rooms to the extent that tax paying
citizens get reduced or delayed treatment - some life threatening
2- squeezing our schools - my wife's class has 25 students where it should only have 18. The entire school system accomodates illegals and children of taxpayers not only get reduced teacher attention, but the taxpayers are footing the bill for these illegals.
3- squeezing our roadways - I have 2 associates that have been hit in an auto accident from what is believed to be a car load of illegals. Right after the accident, all occupants of the vehicle fled on foot never to be seen again. Their car abandoned, no tag on it.
4- squeezing our parks - illegals are turning our play grounds into exclusive fields for soccer. These people are not bashful when it comes to asking you to leave.
We are too accomodating - they must
go home.
Ed C
Posted by Ed C |
October 25, 2007 1:57 PM
Posted on
October 25, 2007 13:57
S.V.:
Just another example of how
Americans are laying our county open to rape and pillage by anyone that
cares to flaunt the rules.
I'd like to see how the politicians that won't allow the officers to do their jobs would react if their families were affected by the illegal activities.
Posted by S.V. |
October 26, 2007 7:43
AM
Keep up with the illegal immigration news at Federation for American Immigration Reform click here
During the depression Roosevelt threw 2
million illegals out of the country so Americans could work. Eisenhower
threw out 6 million illegals during the fifties. So why can't we get rid of
12 million illegals with today's technology?
Feds Begin Construction of Vehicle Fence Along Southwest Border
Thursday, January 25, 2007
TUCSON, Arizona — Construction has begun on vehicle barriers that will be
part of a mix of fencing along the Arizona-Mexico border to discourage
illegal border crossings.
The construction started Wednesday is part of a Bush administration
initiative announced last year that aims to provide a mix of high-tech
virtual fencing and a traditional physical barrier.
The first phase of construction will be made up primarily of
concrete-filled vertical tubes set into the ground to prevent vehicles
from entering.
Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russell Knocke said some
portions of the barrier may also contain traditional fencing.
The first phase will be placed along 9 miles (15 kilometers) at the
western edge of a 37-mile (60-kilometer) stretch of desert in southwestern
Arizona.
On Jan. 12, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff cleared the way
for the work to start by waiving environmental regulations and laws
impeding construction along the 2.8 million-acre (1.1-million-hectare)
Barry M. Goldwater bombing range.
Hispanics Flee Pa. Town Before Crackdown
Elvis Soto's variety store used to make money. But few customers have been walking through his door lately, and his merchandise _ calling cards, cell phones, car stereos, clothing _ is collecting dust on the shelves.
With bills mounting, Soto might have to take another job to stay afloat financially, and may even close the store.
On Wednesday, a tough, first-of-its-kind law targeting illegal immigrants goes into effect in this small hillside city in northeastern Pennsylvania. But the evidence suggests many Hispanics _ illegal or otherwise _ have already left.
That, in turn, has hobbled the city's Hispanic business district, where some shops have closed and others are struggling to stay open.
"Before, it was a nice place," said Soto, 27, who came to the United States from the Dominican Republic a decade ago. "Now, we have a war against us. I am legal but I feel the pressure also."
The ordinance, approved by City Council in September, imposes fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and denies business permits to companies that give them jobs. The law empowers the city to investigate written complaints about a person's immigration status, using a federal database.
Mayor Lou Barletta, chief proponent of the new law, contends illegal immigrants have brought drugs, crime and gangs, overwhelming police and municipal budgets. He announced the crackdown in June, a month after two illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic were charged in a fatal shooting.
At Isabel's Gifts, owner Isabel Rubio said business is so bad that she and her husband have put their house up for sale, moved into an apartment above their store and started dipping into their savings.
"I am in a lot of stress right now," said Rubio, 50, a Colombian who moved to Hazleton 24 years ago. "Every day, we hope to have a good day."
Opponents sued on Monday to block the law and a companion measure, saying they trample on the federal government's exclusive power to regulate immigration.
"These ordinances are nothing more than an officially sanctioned witch hunt," said Cesar Perales, president of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, a group representing plaintiffs in the case. They include the Hazleton Hispanic Business Association, several illegal immigrants, landlords and a restaurateur.
The mayor said he would fight all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary, saying the ordinance is "as bulletproof as we can get it."
Hispanics began settling in large numbers in Hazleton several years ago, lured from New York, Philadelphia and other cities by cheap housing, low crime and the availability of work in nearby factories and farms. The city, situated 80 miles from Philadelphia, estimates its population has increased from 23,000 to 31,000 over the past six years, with Hispanics now representing 30 percent of the population.
No one knows how many of the new arrivals came to the United States illegally, but assimilating such a large number of people, many of whom speak little English, in such a short amount of time has been difficult.
Many white residents resent the newcomers, complaining about rising crime and overburdened schools. Tensions have flared over relatively minor annoyances such as loud music and double parking.
"You don't like the big-city stuff coming here," said insurance agent Vincent Santopoli, 49, a lifelong resident. "We're not used to it."
Barletta, who has risen from political obscurity to become a darling of anti-illegal immigration activists nationwide, said he sympathizes with struggling Hispanic business owners. But he said the fact their revenues are down is proof the city had a problem with illegal immigration.
"I've said from the beginning my goal was to make Hazleton one of the toughest cities in America for illegal aliens," he said. "Today, if I was an illegal alien, I certainly wouldn't pick Hazleton as my home."
Police Chief Bob Ferdinand said his officers appear to be responding to fewer calls. But on Oct. 20, a legal immigrant from the Dominican Republic was accused of shooting and killing two Hispanic men, one in the country illegally.
Todd Betterly, 37, who was awakened by the gunshots, said the killings are proof the crackdown is necessary.
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to find out who belongs here and who doesn't," he said. "If we could have stopped one murder by knowing where these people are, isn't it worth it?"
A second ordinance going into effect Wednesday requires tenants to register their name, address and phone number at City Hall and pay $10 for a rental permit. Landlords who fail to make sure their tenants are registered can be fined $1,000, plus a penalty of $250 per tenant per day. The goal is to discourage illegal immigrants from even trying to rent in Hazleton.
A 32-year-old Mexican who slipped into the United States nine years ago to find work said he has no intention of registering.
What is the mayor gaining by this law? I'm not a drug trafficker, I don't run around in gangs. I do my job and I go home to my family," said the married father of two, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of his immigration status.
Pennsylvania native Kim Lopez and her husband, Rudy, a Mexican immigrant, closed their grocery store Oct. 1 after business tailed off dramatically over the summer. They lost more than $10,000 _ their life savings.
"Everyone was running scared and left town," said Lopez, 39. "We had customers who came in who were legal citizens and they didn't want the harassment and hassle and told us they were leaving."
Dallas Suburb Passes Landmark Anti-Illegal Immigration Laws
City Council members unanimously approved fines for landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, making English the city's official language and allowing local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to check their immigration status.
Here is a link to the entire story on Fox News.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229257,00.html
We are getting nowhere waiting for the federal government to act. The longer we wait the worse the situation will get. It's time to do something on our own as others are doing.
The problem with illegal aliens in this parish is becoming a real problem. Yet our law enforcement and parish government aren't doing a damn thing about it!
The state police, sheriff department, and police department all say it's an immigration problem.
Yet if they pull over a traffic violation, or go on a domestic call and find illegals they do nothing about turning them over to immigration. Instead they will issue a citation and let them go their merry way.
Parish government is no better. The email below from Mr. Hughes proves that. He has his secretary calling their legal office on the immigration concerns so he can answer me. I guess there are no illegal aliens at Pelican Point.
Our elected state officials are no better. They turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the problem.
With all of these agencies ignoring the problem we are send out a message loud and clear that Ascension Parish is a safe haven for illegal alliens.
That leaves the burden on parish residents to do something about it. I suggest that we report any and all incidents about illegals. If you are not sure report it anyway it's the only way we can rid ourselves of the problem before it gets completely out of hand.
Immigration office in Baton Rouge 225-389-0433
State Police Troop "A" (225) 754-8500 Toll Free
(800) 969-2059
Sheriff 225-621-8300
Gonzales Police 225-647-7511
I suggest we remember all this when it comes time for elections to roll around. Those that won't help fix the problem are part of the problem and don't need to be re-elected.
MessageFrom: Chuck Le Mieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 5:32 PM
To: Todd Lambert (tlambert@apgov.us); Adrian Thompson (athompson@apgov.us);
Alvin W. Thomas (athomas@apgov.us); Council District 4 (cfontenot@apgov.us);
Council District 5 (dlambert@apgov.us); Council District 6 (jsavoy@apgov.us);
Doug Hillensbeck (dhillensbeck@apgov.us); George Valentine (gvalentine@apgov.us);
Jared Beiriger (jbeiriger@apgov.us); Kent Schexnaydre (kschexnaydre@apgov.us);
Martin McConnell (mmcconnell@apgov.us); Ronnie Hughes (rhughes@apgov.us)
Cc: Ascension Sheriff; Gonzales Weekly (editor@gonzalesweekly.com); hjohnson@corrections.state.la.us;
Ronnie Hughes (rhughes@apgov.us); Whitney Vann ; Andrea Clesi; Cassandra
Garnas; Chelby Kosto; Claire Hatty; John Pastorek; Ken Pastorick; Michael
Marsh; Scott Satchfield; Sylvia Weatherspoon; Todd Ross; Tony Jones;
Veronica Mosgrove
Subject: Illegal aliens
To the Ascension Parish council
Sirs;
I am asking that the Ascension Parish council enact two ordinances.
Ordinance one:
Fines of $1000 per person for anybody renting to or hiring illegal aliens in
Ascension Parish.
Ascension Parish has become a safe refuge for illegal aliens. They are
taxing our resources as well as taking jobs from parish residents especially
the building trades.
Law enforcement problems can be gotten from the sheriff's office and our
local police departments.
I have found that waiting for immigration to come to our aid is futile. And
trying to enact laws will take much too long. And this would only create a
much bigger burden on law enforcement. This way the burden falls on those
renting to and hiring illegals the exact ones creating this safe refuge from
deportation..
Other cities and towns have done this very thing I am requesting of the
council. And it is working. I have included some of URL'S of these cities as
a starting point.
Hazelton Pennsylvania
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203513,00.html?sPage=fnc.specialsections/immigration
Escondido California
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/10/05/state/n003032D06.DTL&type=politics
Charlotte North Carolina
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/26/AR2006092601319.html
Costa Mesa California
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-25-illegals-criminals_x.htm
Ordinance two:
Require as the official languages for Ascension Parish to be English and
Cajun French.
This ordinance would make those businesses with telephone devices
incorporating Spanish as a choice to remove it. This would be somewhat more
difficult to enforce but I consider it a must. If a person can't speak
English then they need to learn or leave.
I expect that these ordinances be put into effect. If not consider
yourselves part of the problem and not the solution.
This email has been placed electronically on the website http://www.inascension.com
and cc'd to those of interest.
Chuck Le Mieux
clemieux@inascension.com
http://www.inascension.com
What others are doing to
stop illegal immigrants from using their towns and cities as a safe refuge
from being deported. There are over 30 so far. Here are a few.
Hazelton Pennsylvania
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203513,00.html?sPage=fnc.specialsections/immigration
Escondido California
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/10/05/state/n003032D06.DTL&type=politics
Charlotte North Carolina
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/26/AR2006092601319.html
Costa Mesa California
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-25-illegals-criminals_x.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Le Mieux [mailto:clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 7:50 AM
To: Ronnie Hughes (rhughes@apgov.us)
Cc: Todd Lambert (tlambert@apgov.us); Adrian Thompson (athompson@apgov.us);
Alvin W. Thomas (athomas@apgov.us); Council District 4 (cfontenot@apgov.us);
Council District 5 (dlambert@apgov.us); Council District 6 (jsavoy@apgov.us);
Doug Hillensbeck (dhillensbeck@apgov.us); George Valentine (gvalentine@apgov.us);
Jared Beiriger (jbeiriger@apgov.us); Kent Schexnaydre (kschexnaydre@apgov.us);
Martin McConnell (mmcconnell@apgov.us); Whitney Vann ; Andrea Clesi;
Cassandra Garnas; Chelby Kosto; Claire Hatty; John Pastorek; Ken Pastorick;
Michael Marsh; Scott Satchfield; Sylvia Weatherspoon; Todd Ross; Tony
Jones; Veronica Mosgrove
Subject:
From:
Crystal Moran [mailto:cmoran@apgov.us]
Sent: Monday, September
25, 2006 8:12 AM
To: ronnie@apgov.us
Subject: FW:
Bill,
Please send Mr. Lemieux a list of all the roads that have been improved since January 04, both parish and state. Send me a cc for my file. Thanks very much.
Crystal, please suspense for follow-up so I can personally respond to this gentlemen once we hear from our legal office on the immigration concerns. Thanks.
Ronnie
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Le Mieux [mailto:clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 9:52 AM
To: 'Councilwoman Cheryl Fontenot'
Subject: RE:
Ms. Fontenot,I have started a new page at http://www.inascension.com strictly for the illegal alien problem.I have added your email reply there.Hopefully I will get some kind of response from Hughes but I wouldn't count on it.The Advocate had contacted me some months ago about Mr. Hughes plans to add a tax for roads. I told them at that time that I thought it would not pass due to the fact that any major repair to Parish roads would require the taking of land to widen them, and residents would not be in favor of that.I thought that would be the end of it until the vote. Now I find that he has back tracked on this subject also.In my humble opinion I think we have wasted four years putting this inept person in office.Chuck Le Mieux
lemieux@inascension.com
From: Ronnie Hughes [mailto:rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 5:34 AM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Subject: FW:
Chuck,
After discussing your concerns with the parish attorney we both agree that the parish charter doesn’t give me the authority to do what you ask. Even though I agree with much of what you say, this is more of a law enforcement issue that would be best handled by local, state and federal law enforcement. I am not aware of power granted to me under the charter, the state constitution or statutes, or the federal statutes or constitution to deal with this growing problem. If you are aware of executive branch power being exercised elsewhere in Louisiana I would be grateful for you to share specific examples with me so that I can contact these jurisdictions. Afterwards, I would then get back with our parish attorney and the parish council on your concerns.
Your understanding is appreciated, and as always I thank you for sharing your concerns with me.
Best Regards,
Ronnie Hughes
Parish President
From: Chuck Le Mieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 7:20 AM
To: 'Ronnie Hughes'
Cc: Ascension Sheriff; Gonzales Weekly (editor@gonzalesweekly.com);
Todd Lambert (tlambert@apgov.us); Adrian Thompson (athompson@apgov.us);
Alvin W. Thomas (athomas@apgov.us); Council District 4 (cfontenot@apgov.us);
Council District 5 (dlambert@apgov.us); Council District 6 (jsavoy@apgov.us);
Doug Hillensbeck (dhillensbeck@apgov.us); George Valentine (gvalentine@apgov.us);
Jared Beiriger (jbeiriger@apgov.us); Kent Schexnaydre (kschexnaydre@apgov.us);
Martin McConnell (mmcconnell@apgov.us); Whitney Vann ; Andrea Clesi;
Cassandra Garnas; Chelby Kosto; Claire Hatty; John Pastorek; Ken Pastorick;
Michael Marsh; Scott Satchfield; Sylvia Weatherspoon; Todd Ross; Tony
Jones; Veronica Mosgrove
Subject: RE: Illegal Aliens
From: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 10:14 AM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Subject: FW: Illegal Aliens
Chuck,
No need to rethink my position, for I took an oath of office to uphold the laws of our parish, state and nation. If the legal authorities tell me I don’t have the right, power or authority (or whatever the right word is) to do certain things, I don’t do them. If I think the law is bad, I write to the courts and/or contact the respective legislative bodies to help facilitate change within our system of government. I freely admit I get frustrated many times with how slow government moves and changes, but even though I don’t agree with abortion clinics (as an example of the point I’m trying to make) I don’t blow up abortion clinics, even though I personally feel our society would be much better off without them. I certainly don’t want my tax dollars paying for them, but I still pay my taxes, and most years I attach a note asking the IRS to use the money wisely, for I worked hard for it. I contact legislators and congressman on a regular basis on issues just like you contact me; hopefully, one day we will both make a difference in our society. Until then, I will obey the law, even the ones I don’t like, and I will work to change the ones I think are wrong.
Thanks for the number, and I will call it. I also sent your concerns to our sheriff, who is our chief law enforcement officer in the parish. Your understanding is appreciated.
Ronnie
From: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 10:46 AM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Subject: FW: Illegal Aliens
Chuck,
PS-I forgot to address your accusation on my neighborhood. I don’t recall anything in my e-mail talking about my or your neighborhood. I earnestly try to look at what is best for the parish as a whole, and not my neighborhood, even though my neighborhood is obviously part of the parish.
Sincerely,
Ronnie
MessageFrom: Chuck Le Mieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 11:23 AM
To: Ronnie Hughes (rhughes@apgov.us)
Cc: Ascension Sheriff; Gonzales Weekly (editor@gonzalesweekly.com); Todd
Lambert (tlambert@apgov.us); Adrian Thompson (athompson@apgov.us); Alvin
W. Thomas (athomas@apgov.us); Council District 4 (cfontenot@apgov.us);
Council District 5 (dlambert@apgov.us); Council District 6 (jsavoy@apgov.us);
Doug Hillensbeck (dhillensbeck@apgov.us); George Valentine (gvalentine@apgov.us);
Jared Beiriger (jbeiriger@apgov.us); Kent Schexnaydre (kschexnaydre@apgov.us);
Martin McConnell (mmcconnell@apgov.us); Whitney Vann ; Andrea Clesi;
Cassandra Garnas; Chelby Kosto; Claire Hatty; John Pastorek; Ken Pastorick;
Michael Marsh; Scott Satchfield; Sylvia Weatherspoon; Todd Ross; Tony
Jones; Veronica Mosgrove
Subject: Illegal Aliens
Mr. Hughes,
Your responses to me on the subject of illegal aliens lead me to believe
that you had no idea about this situation.
You make the Parish Charter sound as if it's etched in stone. It isn't. It
can be changed and should be. I have a copy of it and it doesn't cover
much of what goes on in the world today.
As I write this reply Fox News Network just announced that more cities are
implementing laws to remove illegals form there cities. If they can do it
we can too.
What would it take for you to set in motion a review of the charter, make
revisions, and leave it up to the voters to approve the changes?
Chuck Le Mieux
clemieux@inascension.com
http://www.inascension.com
MessageFrom: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 9:53 AM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Subject: FW: Illegal Aliens
The governing authority can vote to initiate this, or the citizens can get
33% of the register voters to sign a petition. I understand two groups may
be working on this as we speak. The Ascension Chamber of Commerce, working
with PAR, started this process in 02 or 03, but it seems the council never
adopted their recommendations. Randy Anderson, CAO under President
Marchand, met with me a couple of weeks ago, and he is working on a
petition drive to reduce the council from 11 to 7, with two of the seven
being elected at large. Time will tell what happens. There are many
changes that need to be made to our charter.
Ronnie
MessageFrom: Chuck Le Mieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 11:04 AM
To: 'Ronnie Hughes'
Subject: RE: Illegal Aliens
Mr. Hughes,
Instead of changing the charter could an ordinance be put into effect?
What you describe as being done is all well and dandy but it doesn't look
like anything will come of it any time soon.
Just yesterday Fox News announced that the cities of Hazelton Pennsylvania
and Escondido California put into effect ordinances fining anyone $1000
per illegal renting to or hiring illegal aliens. Maybe you should get
those cities to send information of what they did.
I do know this. If we don't act and soon we will have a problem that wont
be easy to remedy. Right now the word is out among illegals that Gonzales
is a safe haven for them.
Again I would impress upon you that your position as Parish President
gives you the ability to contact those who can do something about this
problem. I as an individual can do just so much.
MessageFrom: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 2:28 PM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Subject: FW: Illegal Aliens
Chuck,
Thus far no one has returned my call from the BR number you gave me. I
will forward your comments about Gonzales to the mayor of Gonzales, so he
can discuss same with his city council. I have no idea what is opinion is
on this matter, but I suspect he will let me know. As far as a parish
ordinance, the parish council can pass ordinances, and I will try to
enforce any that they pass; however, we would rely on parish law
enforcement for the enforcement. Councilman Valentine told me today that
you have been talking to him on this same matter, and I don’t know if the
council will take this matter up or not. Your e-mail will also be
forwarded to the parish council for their consideration.
Ronnie
MessageFrom: Mark
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:12 AM
To: Chuck Le Mieux
Subject: RE:
I can only wonder how many illegal aliens are taking our children’s spots
at these schools?
Mark
