Believe In America.com

butterbean · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 2269

KEYPORT — When Felix Franco heard that local officials were discussing an ordinance that would have related to illegal immigrants, the Mexican native considered it his duty to come to the Borough Council meeting Tuesday night and speak against it.

Dozens of other residents had the same idea, crowding into borough hall to hear the council decide against considering an ordinance that would have penalized landlords $1,000 each time they rented an apartment or a house to an illegal immigrant.

Franco, a construction worker who has lived here for four years, acknowledged he is not a legal immigrant but said he wanted to stand up for all immigrants.

"We wanted to come out in great numbers and show that we deserve respect," Franco said in Spanish outside the meeting. "We work in this town and spend our money in this town just like everyone else."

The council took the advice of its attorney, John S. Wisniewski, who said such an ordinance likely would not withstand a legal challenge.

Nationwide groups such as the National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders and the American Civil Liberties Union had spoken out in recent days against the proposed ordinance, saying they planned to monitor Keyport's actions and file challenges in federal court should it be adopted.

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