February 22, 2008 11:35 AM
Final Update 5/15/08 IR-1105 passed in the Suffolk Legislature
Update 5/9/08 The lifting of our Temporay Restraining Order means that a vote on IR-1105 will occur Tuesday. Go to our homepage for action alerts and breaking news.
ALSO: The bill's author Brian Beedenbender blogged, here's Pat Young's response.
I.R. 1105 is the worst immigrant hating bill ever introduced in Suffolk County and, if passed, could be a model for other counties throughout the state. This tool kit will provide up to date info on the bill as well as links to articles on the blogdealing with it.
We need you if we are to have any chance of stopping this monster.
We ask you to contact your member of the Suffolk Legislature. If you click here, you will be taken to the web site of the Legislature. Just click on the picture of your legislator and you will get contact info.
Here is an online copy of IR 1105.
Here are recent blog entries on IR 1105, the newly introduced anti-immigrant bill now before the Suffolk Legislature.
Emergency appeals seeking support against the bill
How IR 1105 will hurt Suffolk businesses, homeowners and immigrants
4/17/08 Bill Lindsay revives immigrant haters bill
Newsday calls Suffolk Bill pandering
Suffolk Life Slams Bill for its impact on business
How Suffolk Bill will lead to massive discrimination against Latinos and Asian Americans
Immigration crackdowns do not come cheap
Looking at the Suffolk lawmaking process
How the Suffolk Bill hurts workers
Suffolk Bill will wind up costing homeowners
Newsday article on Albany rally
Find out more about the blogger who wrote this
How anti-immigrant laws hurt workers
To see for yourself the net gain to Long Island and NYS economies and tax bases, please visit http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/publications2007/FPI_ImmReport_WorkingforaBetterLife.pdf and check out pages 97 through 101 (102 to end are the notes and methodology)
By terri scofield February 23, 2008 01:01 PM
Thanks for posting this. So many people are quietly horrified by the anti-immigrant hate that comes out through these proposals in Suffolk. I hope that everyone comes to speak out against them.
By Nadia February 23, 2008 01:16 PM
Thanks Terri
By Pat Young February 23, 2008 08:47 PM
Wish I could make the hearing!
It really does burn me up that politicians too scared and lazy to take on REAL issues so successfully use hard-working immigrants to create bogus diversion issues to distract us from what we OUGHT to be mad about. If Jane and Joe Suburbia are angry because they've been convinced that immigrant children in "their" schools are raising their property taxes, they're not paying attention to the bloated administrative salaries, the lawyers employed by multiple school districts AND on retainer for those districts, or the Mastic Beach construction scandal where a $85,000. public pool repair turned into a $7 MILLION dollar boondoggle!
Hope you get a good turnout.
terri scofield
By terri scofield February 24, 2008 03:08 PM
Legislator Brian Beedenbender,
It is my belief that when in a position of power that one should try to do the most good for everyone. Furthermore, power should be used to unite and help society move to a better level of common understanding. I have the utmost belief that policy can help us do this.
I don't know you, but I feel a certain kinship with you; you are about my age and a young professional looking to have a good career just like me. I have been wondering what I would do in your position. I wonder how easy it would be to dehumanize individuals when one is not directly made uncomfortable by their unfortunate situation.When one is so distant from their plight. I wonder how difficult it must be to weigh a problem and hear all sides and then decide what path to take knowing that legislation affects people at the skin and bones level. Furthermore, I wonder how hard it is to step beyond one's comfort zone and empathize with those who are the lowest on the totem pole, the unwelcomed. I don't think this is easy. What is easy is to mask the real problems our communities are facing and to not think outside the box.
Instead of finding creative ways to start addressing the real problems of a lackluster economy, lack of affordable housing, racism and the many misfortunes that low income communities including documented, undocumented immigrants and citizens have to deal with on a daily basis I see you throwing stones at them, dividing them and leaving them out in the cold. We immigrants are your neighbors, your constituents let's not fall in the errors that have been repeated over and over again when trying to resolve immigration. Let's not have xenophobia and fear of change make us act to dehumanize others. I have been here for 15 years and I am citizen now, but I can't for the life of me turn my back on either person: the unemployed union member nor the day laborer.
I wish you a bright career and I hope that IR 1105 isn't your last proposed legislation. However, I do hope you gain some wisdom and respect for all people. I hope that people treat you well wherever in the world you travel and that you and your family never ever have to leave this beautiful country in search of a better life. But if you do, I hope that you and yours are treated well and you are welcomed by those who live there.
Sincerely,
By Ruth T. March 7, 2008 12:00 AM