Lead by Example: Letter to Wadsworth City Council

Thank you to our ally and friend Farhad Sethna who wrote the letter below.  Please consider doing the same!  Scroll down to the August 10 Action Alert for the contact information of the Wadsworth City Council.

Respected Wadsworth City Council Members:

            I am writing this letter to voice my opposition to the proposed Resolution No. 10-10 for the reasons set forth below.

            As background, I am an adjunct professor at the University of Akron School of  Law and in addition I teach a class on Immigration Law, Crimes and Justice in the Justice Studies program at Kent State University.  I also have owned and operated my own immigration law practice for over the last 15 years being privileged to represent hundreds, if not thousands, of immigrants to achieve the American dream.

             I was surprised and shocked to hear that the City of Wadsworth- given its strong immigrant roots had introduced Resolution No. 10-10.  In fact, the home page of the City of Wadsworth website proclaims the humble immigrant beginnings of the City of Wadsworth and the hard work and dedication of its pioneering immigrant founders.  Therefore, it comes as a distinct surprise that a city with such strong immigrant roots now takes an anti-immigrant stance of this nature.

             It is unquestionable that we all as Americans want to have an orderly system of laws and government.  Indeed, our constitution is founded on a premise of a “government of laws, not of men”.  Unfortunately, the Arizona legislation tilts that mandate in the favor of men and away from laws.  By making it necessary for a police officer to inquire about the immigration status of any person who the officer deems “illegal”, the law allows an impermissible blurring between a police officer’s role to protect and serve versus criminalizing the victim or the complainant.  Further, the law is invidious in that it clearly allows for racial profiling by allowing officers to inquire about immigration statuses of people who they suspect are undocumented.  In my class at Kent, I teach from a book in which one of the chapters in tellingly titled “What does an undocumented alien look like?”.     

             Let us turn to cost.  The costs of apprehending and deporting every undocumented alien in the State of Arizona- even if it were possible- are enormous.  These costs range in the tens to the hundreds of millions of dollars in enforcement alone, not counting losses to the State in the form of taxes, lack of opportunities, and losses to businesses.  Rather than concentrate law enforcement on apprehending violent gangs, criminals and human traffickers, Arizona would rather spend its resources on attempting to identify and deport undocumented day laborers and migrant workers struggling to feed their families. In most cases- these workers- make no mistake- are doing jobs that no American worker would want to do.

             While the Resolution quotes from the “Federation for American Immigration Reform” (FAIR), it should also take note of the various other studies that have been released by non-partisan groups including the newspapers and University of Arizona studies which identify the true cost of deportation and the estimated economic losses arising from such measures.  Those estimates would, in my professional opinion, give a more “fair” assessment of the economic impact.  For comprehensive list, please visit: 

  http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/special-reports/qa-guide-arizonas-new-immigration-law

             Law enforcement officers in Arizona have themselves decried SB 1070.  It would take away from their ability to actually apprehend violent criminals who will go unchecked because “illegals” would be afraid to report them.  Therefore, SB 1070 really makes Arizona (and the rest of the nation) less safe by providing cover for violent criminals, including drug traffickers, human traffickers, child abusers, pimps, and all other manner of violent and depraved offenders.

             The Resolution is incorrect in proposing that the law requires only aliens to carry documents.  If a police officers stops an individual and inquires about their immigration status, if that person does not have proof of their citizenship, how is that person supposed to prove their citizenship, lawful permanent resident, or any other legal status in the United States?  The agencies of the US Government provide a plethora of documents which indicate legal status.  Are we now expecting the average law enforcement officer on the street to become an expert in recognizing and understanding immigration documents?  Imagine the burden on law enforcement, a burden it can ill afford given these tough economic times.  Who is going to pay for and house these hundreds if not thousands of undocumented aliens?

             To conclude, lets us now turn to the City of Wadsworth.  I am guaranteeing you that there are undocumented aliens working within the City of Wadsworth.  Indeed, I have represented employers in Wadsworth who have struggled to find US workers and have been unsuccessful.  The problem lies not with the undocumented worker.  The problem lies with the fact that we do not have workers to do jobs that our economy requires. 

             I personally obtain services from at least two businesses in Wadsworth.  If this Resolution passes, I will be certain to indicate my disapproval to both these entities and any others with which I do business in Wadsworth.  The time has come for us all-in the words of President George Bush- to determine whether we are either “for or against” actions which harm America.  Decent, hardworking immigrants- while undocumented- help the American economy at a difficult time.  These aliens are for America and the American way of life.  They are the new blood that can rejuvenate our flagging economy.  Immigrants are a driving force for economic growth- see http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/new-americans-buckeye-state for details about the value of immigration to Ohio. President Bush had a strong vision for immigration, but unfortunately one which could not pass the bitter rancor and divide even among the Republican party.  Indeed, until facing a recent tough primary battle, Senator John McCain was one of the chief proponents of immigration reform.  Unfortunately, it appears that “Tea Party” like politics has curbed any reasonable and logical debate on most matters, including immigration.  This resolution is a prime example of such a knee-jerk reaction to “tea bag” rhetoric.

             Rather than commending the unconstitutional and factually bankrupt assertions of extremist views, it would be better to use our energy to further immigration to the State of Ohio in order to create jobs, develop business, and grow our economy.  We are losing population at a rapid rate.  Clearly this is because Ohio does not afford the opportunities that people are seeking.  If we were to make Ohio a destination for the new economy, for clean power, for alternative energy sources, for education, and healthcare, we would once again bring back the vitality which drove Ohio to the forefront of our nation’s economy less than a century ago.  Rather than praise Arizona’s SB 1070, Wadsworth City Counsel should condemn it and simultaneously propose some methods to attract and keep business in the City of Wadsworth and in Northeast Ohio in general.

             I will be very happy to discuss this matter with you via telephone or in person anytime.  Please feel free to contact me with your questions and comments.  Thank you for your time and consideration.