Text size:

Taking it to the streets

Both immigrant advocates and those against undocumented workers debate merits of Levy's verification bill

BY JAMES T. MADORE | Newsday Staff Writer

August 23, 2006

Immigration rights supporters express their feelings outside the William H. Rogers Building in Hauppauge on August 22, 2006. Maria Aparecco, left, with Edith Villavicenio holding white sign), came out to support immigration, despite other protesters, foreground, opposing their feelings. (Photo by James Carbone)

More than 200 union members, immigrant advocates and people opposed to undocumented workers rallied last night outside the Suffolk Legislature's building in Hauppauge to debate the merits of County Executive Steve Levy's immigrant workers bill.

Some people waved American flags. Others held up homemade signs urging the undocumented to go home. And one man dressed up as Uncle Sam.

The crowd remained orderly as police stood nearby and watched as speakers hotly debated whether Suffolk should require businesses and other entities with government contracts to sign affidavits stating their employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Later, inside, nearly 50 people testified before the legislature, in which 14 of the 18 members have told Newsday they support Levy's resolution. During the three-hour hearing, supporters of the bill outnumbered opponents 2 to 1.

Susan Steinmann of Mastic Beach complained about the chants of "Go home" that she heard outside the building. "I want our county to stand up for what is fine, good and decent. . . . Many of the problems [with undocumented workers] are real, but we should solve them in a way that doesn't demonize people."

Robert DiCarlo, a former state senator from Brooklyn who now lives in Stony Brook, urged Suffolk lawmakers to adopt Levy's bill, which seeks to strengthen enforcement of a 20-year-old federal law. He and others called for even tougher penalties than what are included in Levy's resolution.

Speakers from the Greater Farmingville Civic Association and the Suffolk County Minuteman Civil Defense Corps described illegal immigration as "an invasion" that is undermining the quality of life. "These [government contracted] jobs must be kept open for people who belong here," said Ronald Lewandowski of the Minuteman group.

Immigrant advocates countered that such statements, combined with Levy's bill, would increase discrimination. "Every time there is a problem in Suffolk County - it's the illegals who are blamed," said Luis Valenzuela of the Long Island Immigrant Alliance. "Veterans are being asked to 'go home,'" he said, referring to naturalized citizens who have served in the U.S. military.

Legis. Joseph T. Caracappa (R-Selden), who is co-sponsoring Levy's measure, emphasized the importance of all governments enforcing the law. But Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Setauket), an opponent, questioned its necessity. "We should be enforcing the prevailing wage law that we have. Why do we need another law?" she said.

Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) announced that the public hearing would be adjourned to Sept. 5 - because of a mishap with a Smithtown weekly newspaper that failed to publish the hearing notice.