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Posted on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:41 a.m.

Ann Arbor officials voice opposition to deportation of undocumented immigrants with ties to community

By Ryan J. Stanton

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Martha Valadez, a University of Michigan School of Social Work student and co-founder of the Social Work Alliance for Immigrant Rights, addresses the Ann Arbor City Council Monday night.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

The Ann Arbor City Council weighed in on the national debate over immigration policy Monday night, passing a resolution opposing increased federal enforcement.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, deported nearly 400,000 undocumented immigrants last year, the highest total on record.

About 60 percent of deportations between October 2008 and February 2011 affected individuals with no criminal background, according to statistics cited by city officials.

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"Regardless of the numbers, whether it's one family that's being targeted or hundreds or thousands of families, all these families equally matter," said Diana Sierra, one of eight immigration rights supporters who addressed the council Monday night.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

By a 9-2 vote, the City Council went on record saying it supports President Barack Obama's stated intention to focus deportations on serious criminals in order to preserve immigrant families.

But the city opposes policies that detain or deport immigrants who have not committed a serious criminal offense and who have long-standing ties to the community, according to the resolution sponsored by Council Members Mike Anglin, Sabra Briere, Sandi Smith and Margie Teall. It goes on to state the city supports timely legalization of those undocumented immigrants.

The issue of immigration hit home for council members last month when Lourdes Salazar Bautista, a long-term Ann Arbor resident and a mother of three, made an emotional plea before the council, asking for help to stop her deportation. Days later, it was announced her deportation was postponed one year through deferred action.

"For some of us, this brought an issue to the forefront that we really knew about from the papers but did not know about personally," Briere said. "Growing out of that situation, members of our community got together and worked to perfect a resolution to propose to council."

The resolution passed by a 9-2 vote Monday night with Council Members Jane Lumm and Marcia Higgins opposing it on the grounds that it's outside the scope of issues the council should be addressing.

"This is a situation where we're being asked to address something that's more of a national and state policy question, if you will, and I question whether a local resolution is appropriate," Lumm said.

Anglin, D-5th Ward, said the national dialogue around immigration policy — which affects Ann Arbor residents — is going to happen with or without the city at the table. He said he thought it best to have the city chime in and voice where it stands.

Briere agreed.

"While it's true that Ann Arbor is not on a border precisely, it is also true that a major number of people in our community are at risk of deportation and they're at risk not because they've committed crimes, not because they've broken significant laws, but because they are not documented residents," she said.

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Several immigration rights activists attended Monday's council meeting to show support for the resolution council members approved.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

Briere said the United States should have an immigration system that allows undocumented residents with long-standing ties to the community reasonable opportunity to become permanent residents and citizens, but unfortunately that level of reform hasn't happened yet.

The resolution approved by council notes ICE's goal is to continue to deport 400,000 undocumented immigrants annually, and Detroit-based Fugitive Operations teams and Border Patrol teams are required to help meet that target.

"Ann Arbor is within 100 miles of the US/Canada border, and is therefore subject to increased immigration enforcement," the resolution states, further adding that immigration raids and deportations violate the human rights of individuals to live free of fear and harassment, and to remain united with their families or loved ones.

"Hundreds of local families — who shop in our stores, live in our neighborhoods, and whose American-born children attend our schools — are affected by these actions, but so is every Ann Arbor resident," the resolution states. "Hundreds of children have been separated from parents and other supporting relatives in the Washtenaw County area in the past four years."

The resolution notes that in April 2009, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asserted that just crossing the border is a civil offense, not a criminal offense, and in June 2011, ICE Director John Morton issued a prosecutorial discretion memorandum that stated the federal government could release from detention and stop the deportation of "low-priority cases" — those being immigrants who have not committed a serious crime and who have long-standing ties to the United States.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.

Comments

russellr

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.

I thought ILLEGAL was against the law!!! You make laws but certain indivduals can legally break them. What are we teaching our children. This is a no brainer.

walker101

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.

Maybe someone should ask Obama why the federal Government does not want to enforce his own policy, heaven forbid the liberals would see no chance of this happening. Try spending over 90 days in Mexico and see what happens, they'll even make you pay for the transportation and a surcharge to get out.

Ali

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.

Atticus F. wrote:"I think some people here don't have the foresight to realize the difference between doing something illegal and doing something criminal. --------------Illegal entry IS a crime under Federal statutes, punishable by several months in prison and a large fine. So is immigration fraud, such as lying to get a visa or marriage fraud. Have you ever had a traffic ticket? it's illegal to go 5 mph over the speed limit...Does that mean you are a criminal if you go 40 mph in a 35mph zone? -------------An American expects to take the consequences of their law breaking. Illegal aliens don't. So if you don't think you are a criminal for breaking the speed limit, why would you be so quick to call another human being a criminal because they want to support their children by working hard? ---------Working here illegally is well, a crime. So is identity theft and fraud. So is tax evasion. And having children at our expense (you really think this mother paid for the births of her US-born kids?) that you can't support without breaking the law or using welfare (yes, illegal aliens collect welfare on behalf of their US-born kids) is the act of an irresponsible person who is trying to use her children as anchors. Responsible people don't have children knowing that themselves are deportable.

RUKiddingMe

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.

Can someone - ANYONE -explain the result of City Council voting on this resolution? Does someone take that to the fes and the feds say "Okay, we have this Ann Arbor City Council vote, here, so we're gong to relax deporation in that town?" Seriously, what happens when city council has these weird things where they go on record about stuff that has nothing to do with government in he city? Also, I'd VERY much like to know what happened here: "The issue of immigration hit home for council members last month when Lourdes Salazar Bautista, a long-term Ann Arbor resident and a mother of three, made an emotional plea before the council, asking for help to stop her deportation. Days later, it was announced her deportation was postponed one year through deferred action." Did someone in council somehow get a federal deportation agent to agree to not deport this woman, when it was on their list, or schedule to do so? Was this person's year extension the direct result of action on city council's part? I m desperate to know this.

towny

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 5:40 a.m.

Just realized after reading all the comments that A2.com is not being neutral in this issue. Why is A2.com not using the correct term Illegal about these deportees. Come On. changing the wording to undocumented is so so weak. Pretty obvious where A2.com stands in this issue.

alarictoo

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.

@Towny - annarbor.com is very rarely "neutral" on any subject. They have a definite agenda, and it shouldn't take much reading to realize it. They are far from un-biased.

terry rybak

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 4:10 a.m.

What part of "illegal" do you not understand?

Rafael

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:55 a.m.

wow smh on these comments.

nicole

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:37 a.m.

They're welcome if they come legally. If they've come illegally I have no sympathy. Go home. Ann Arbor City Council goes way beyond it's scope. Stick to fixing our sewers and a road or two. I can't believe they have time for this.

BornNRaised

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.

Break the law, pay the price. End of discussion. What a waste of air arguing this. Here's an idea, you don't like our laws? Leave (or don't come here ILLEGALLY)!

Brittanicus

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.

'The Legal Workforce Act 'commonly known as Mandatory E-Verify. This computer generated program allows the business owner to detect the majority of the illegal aliens already hired and reject them from the job market or suffer harsh sanctions that does not exclude prison time. This is ATTRITION THROUGH ENFORCEMENT and SELF-DEPORTATION. No job-they are going home. Plus "The Birthright Citizenship Act" to stop the inducement of bringing unborn infants into the country, that provides free welfare, education and health care.. The legal public group called Judicial Watch is digging out the corruption in Washington DC, and have revealed allegations of voter fraud, to cement votes for the resident president by illegal means in our already compromised election system. Go to <a href="http://www.rightsidenews.com" rel='nofollow'>http://www.rightsidenews.com</a> for all the information.

Brittanicus

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.

This is America's future if voters don't orally storm the fortress Congress and speak up for your fellow jobless workers, which are being exploited by nationwide company owners as they hire illegal aliens. Billions of dollars are extorted from you payroll check, that encourages even more people to scorn our immigration laws, bringing their poverty with them; adding to even more countrywide poverty. Neither the democrats and the ultra Left or the Republicans seem to have any sense of loyalty to "We the People" From now until the 2012 election many of these indifferent lawmakers, will be dismissed from office as the American public are riled? They will be replaced by TEA PARTY CONSTITUTIONALISTS, as we have already seen in the previous midterm elections. The very core of our Constitution is under serious attack, by the White House and the Liberal Progressive Czars. They are blocking through regulations the Canadian KeyStone XL pipeline and even undermining through presidential executive order the deportation of foreign nationals, with no detainment.

Brittanicus

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.

WHERE DOES THE BLAME LIE? If you want to keep paying out your hard earned money in feeding, medicating, housing and overpopulating the penal system, just keep on ignoring the obvious. Try as they may—Illegal Immigration isn't just a south of the US border issue; it is from every corner of the world they come? A major majority of the legal Hispanic genealogy family history goes back hundreds of years. Their indigenous peoples have become the scapegoat for every illegal alien and the Democrats have built on that situation? Both political parties have been pampering illegal aliens, especially the pregnant Mothers for decades, who smuggle their unborn babies through an undermanned, poorly constructed border fence. Every day you are subsidizing migrants and immigrants who are already versed on the entitlement nation called the United States. As soon as they apply they receive free pre-natal care and later schooling through K-12, with all the welfare, that the parents live off these entitlements. Same with so-called Guest worker farming families who the taxpayer once again is exploited by the business owners, who take their sick laborers to the emergency room and other family members? The American taxpayer also pays for their children's education and other welfare benefits that Americans are held accountable through taxation.

Brittanicus

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.

Why should the states of Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Utah be terrorized by the Department of Justice morons and the Obama Liberal Czars over the policing policy to decline the illegal alien invaders, when in actual fact numerous administrations are to blame for this abuse of the States and handing out free welfare. BE WARNED THAT NON-CITIZENS HAVE BEEN VOTING AND CERTAINLY WILL AGAIN IN FUTURE ELECTIONS ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ACORN ORGANIZATION HAS APPEARED AGAIN UNDER ASSUMED NAMES THAT INCLUDE "PROJECT VOTE." Every voter should possess official picture ID to vote? Become acquainted NumbersUSA and learn about the billions of dollars taken from taxpayers in unfunded mandates by pandering to illegal aliens. ONLY U.S. VOTERS CAN SAVE JOBS FOR THEMSELVES AND THE 22 MILLION CITIZENS AND LAWFUL RESIDENTS WITH "Green Cards." Nobody is talking? At the debates and Caucuses, some patriotic American should ask Gingrich, Romney, Santorum or Paul about this disgusting chaos, which has badly damaged the real estate industry for many years to come. A cousin of mine in California went to a tax meeting the other night and the discussion that came across, was the crash of real estate that was a question that neither political upper echelon wants to talk about? The "Bull in the China shop syndrome" cannot even describe the epitome monstrous run on Foreclosures. You must judge for yourself and trust your own opinion that illegal aliens must carry the financial impact of this insurmountable problem?

Brittanicus

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.

The truth is being kept locked up mostly by the Liberal news media. No bank, Mortgage Company wants to be associated with this mess, which even now is unresolved? The foreclosure mess was implemented by the illegal alien occupation in the form of NINA loans, were poor foreign nationals were able to purchase homes without any financial credit profile; no credit, no secured buying power. Although the problem was additionally magnified, it was government and its political hacks that threatened banks, if they didn't loan to low income persons. (Google "NINA" loans and add term fraud"); you will be amazed of the many reports on this subject, that the politicians do not want you to see? Can you even comprehend lending money to people with no income? Not even a decent well paying job, receiving $200.000 to $500.000 loans to buy homes and at the same time, living with illegal parents living foothold infants collecting food stamps? This happened throughout America and amazingly renting out the property and placing other illegal alien families, pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars and even having the impudence to default on the mortgages. You know what happened when "You know what" hit the fan and the whole home-ownership system collapsed. The original mortgage owners disappeared no even bothering to pay the electricity, gas, trash and other bill, vanishing as they did with copious amounts of cash to their countries of origin. Billions of dollars vanished leaving county governments intimidating banks, to clean up swimming pools, trash and damaged properties. Hundreds of lawful scroungers with cash brought these homes and took advantage of this crazy fiasco and that why the real truth is being concealed. Then you will be wondering why your taxes are skyrocketing as the real betrayer's of this massive scam escaped prosecution.

Sam Smith

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.

This trumps the art fund, the Fuller Road station, the &quot;fountain,&quot; the county wide bus system run by a deficit AATA, the high taxes, the decrease in first responders and city services, etc. Ann Arbor mayor and council (exception Lumm and Higgins) have truly earned the title, &quot;Leaders in Delusions of Grandeur.&quot; Kind of sounds sophisticated too! Now when people ask me where I live and answer, &quot;Ann Arbor&quot; I won't have to hear their gasps of how can I afford to live there, what about the high city taxes--I'll hear, &quot;Are you crazy?&quot; while their eye pop out in disbelief! Want someone to have a good laugh, to consider you as the all time stupid, get people to forget their troubles, want sympathy for yourself... just tell them you live in Ann Arbor!

Sam Smith

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.

The more I think of it, the more I realize that Ann Arbor needs an Emergency Manager more than any other city to help Ann Arbor get rid of this mayor and city council (exception Lumm and Higgins). Ann Arbor is more like Detroit in more ways than one!

Joy Bash

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.

They broke the law as soon as they crossed the border with out being documented. I work with a lot of immigrants and rumors have been flying around about some of them have fake green cards. I work for a school district that does background checks on all employee's, but I don't know if they check on the legal status of a green card. If You or I went to another country illegally we could be imprisoned for life, shot and killed. or some other form of torture. we give them welfare pay for all their medical needs and they don't pay taxes. Maybe Snyder can start taxing immigrants. If I break a law I pay for it, so why does council think this law should be ignored. follow the law.

The Black Stallion3

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.

This council thinks they should be making the law....not following it.

The Black Stallion3

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.

Ann Arbor is full of illegal's

justcurious

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.

&quot;Illegal Aliens Vs. Undocumented Workers The official legal language found in the US law codes and provisions for a person who unlawfully enters the US or overstays their visa is illegal alien. Undocumented workers is a political term or slogan crafted by biased members of the media, illegal aliens and amnesty supporting groups. Illegal aliens are not undocumented, they have plenty of documents because most engage in document fraud and identity theft to conduct their crimes in America.&quot;

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.

Illegal Immigration by-passes our generous immigration policy allowing excessive immigration to the USA. One should ask, if excessive immigration is such a benefit way was much of America filled with unemployed poor and Americans working for Robber Barons for slave wages until America began to control Immigration after 1914? And why after 1914, the Great Depression not with-standing, did America become a rich industrial powerhouse during the time of greatest immigration control? Today after 14 million Illegal Immigrants entered the USA in the last three decades (1970's to 2007) overriding our control, is it coincidental that once again we are experiencing a growing disparity between rich and poor just like we experienced before immigration control began? Samuel Gompers, first AFL President (American Federation of Labor): &quot;Every effort to enact immigration legislation must expect to meet a number of hostile forces and, in particular, two hostile forces of considerable strength. One of these is composed of corporation employers who desire to employ physical strength (broad backs) at the lowest possible wage and who prefer a rapidly revolving labor supply at low wages to a regular supply of American wage earners at fair wages. The other is composed of racial groups in the United States who oppose all restrictive legislation because they want the doors left open for an influx of their countrymen regardless of the menace to the people of their adopted country.&quot; George Washington: &quot;There never was a law yet made, I conceive, that hit the taste exactly of every man, or every part of the community; of course, if this be a reason for opposition, no law can be executed at all without force, and every man or set of men will in that case cut and carve for themselves; the consequences of which must be deprecated by all classes of men, who are friends to order, and to the peace and happiness of the country.&quot; &quot;Laws made by common consent must not be trampled

Mick52

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.

The lack of action on this issue is IMHO the biggest failure of the federal govt. Good to see the increases in deportation which means finally the feds are enforcing the law. I imagine the reason is due to the cost issue: <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/02/local/me-cap2" rel='nofollow'>http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/02/local/me-cap2</a> And in particular with health care, since unfunded costs are going to be a huge problem with the President's health care folly. If you cannot document a person as a legal resident, how can to force them to buy health care? <a href="http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/001050" rel='nofollow'>http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/001050</a>

annarboral

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.

How can you say an &quot;Illegal alien&quot; doesn't have a criminal background?

Mick52

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.

Just like any other criminal with no criminal background. They simply have not been caught.

alarictoo

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.

And, shouldn't &quot;Immigration Rights&quot; only apply to actual legal (read that &quot;documented&quot;) immigrants? Just a crazy thought, I know... ;^)

alarictoo

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.

&quot;Undocumented Immigrant&quot; = &quot;Illegal Alien&quot; Let's quit changing the language to suit our liberal perspective, shall we?

Paula Gardner

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.

The headline has just been updated to include &quot;undocumented&quot; for clarity.

alarictoo

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.

Is that like the way a water treatment plant would add dirt to the water for improved &quot;clarity&quot;?

Usual Suspect

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.

Waiting for an explanation from Ryan why he used &quot;immigrant.&quot;

Usual Suspect

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.

Still wrong. The correct term is &quot;Illegal.&quot;

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.

Although Illegal Alien is close, if you all want to be legally precise the correct term from the USCIS website is: Deportable Alien Defined as &quot;An alien in and admitted to the United States subject to any grounds of removal specified in the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes any alien illegally in the United States, regardless of whether the alien entered the country by fraud or misrepresentation or entered legally but subsequently violated the terms of his or her nonimmigrant classification or status.&quot;

USRepublic

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.

Paula, That is a wimp ass fix.....

bunnyabbot

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.

agree with others, undocumented immigrants is still wrong. The word illegal is missing from the headline. Obvious to me is your attempt to tip toe through a politically correct mine field. Grow a pair.

alarictoo

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.

@Cinnabar - Sorry, I mis-read your post. My bad.

alarictoo

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.

@Cinnabar - That is a somewhat naive assumption. There are many, many illegal immigrants currently working in the US.

cinnabar7071

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.

Since they are working, they must have some sort of documents. Illegal would be accurate

D. Porter

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5 p.m.

Try this for clarity: they are illegal aliens, not &quot;undocumented immigrants.&quot;

Roy Munson

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.

Annarbor.com - Could you please explain your choice to use &quot;undocumented immigrants&quot; vs &quot;illegal immigrants?&quot;

D. Porter

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.

Maybe they're under orders from White House skunk Cecilia Munoz (La Raza) or the DOJ's despicable CASA de Maryland mole Thomas A. Perez. Hmmmmm.

Brad

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

Any of the AA.com editoral staff care to comment on why the appropriate adjectives are still missing from the headline? Since all appearances are that it is intentional, would you care to explain your rationale for doing so?

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

To Atticus F. - in several places you make the claim that Illegal Immigrants are in the USA &quot;just to feed their families&quot;. But that is an illusion created to justify the breaking of our immigration law. Are Illegal Immigrants really all poor, destitute people only looking for a better life? If they are all so poor, one wonders how they afford to pay thousands of dollars to smugglers to get here. Or the big bucks necessary buy plane tickets, lodging, and a Visa that they then overstay. The answer is most Illegal Immigrants are really just great Capitalists. About 78%+ of Illegal Immigrants come from countries with controlled economies. Take Mexico for example. According to their own Economic Data wages average about $5.00/hr. and the economy is controlled to that level of wages. Make $15/hr. in the USA and the Illegal Immigrant's family lives an above average lifestyle back home while the person working in the USA lives better as well. They call this an economic subsidy, or arbitraging the system. Meanwhile American Citizens who used to hold the jobs waste away on unemployment or welfare. The only difference between this and being a Robber Baron is a matter of scale.

Ali

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.

Atticus also makes the claim that illegal aliens &quot;contribute&quot; by buying goods and services, etc. What he does not point out is that the Americans they're displacing from jobs are also being displaced from consumption and from paying taxes and SS. Were they doing the jobs illegal aliens now hold, Americans would be consuming more, etc. Unless illegal aliens are bringing a fortune from their home countries that they're spending here, all their presence does is shift money from the pockets of Americans to them. You might also note that Mexicans alone are sending more than $20 BILLION annually back to Mexico. That's money that's taken out of our economy and that could be used to create jobs here. And then there's the little fact that we get stuck subsidizing not only the Americans illegal aliens displace, but the illegal aliens themselves, with social services and welfare. (Yes, illegal aliens collect welfare, either fraudulently or on behalf of their US-born kids.)

tdw

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.

Other than A2 who cares what they think ?

bunnyabbot

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.

ryan, fix the headline already, it is incorrect terminology, it could confuse people to think that is really what this is about.

jcj

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.

Atticus Forget the Semantics. The correct headline is in place now! You can't even have an HONEST debate!

djm12652

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.

what's ironic is that legal immigrants can and do get deported..oh yeah for committing a crime...whilst there are those that feel undocumented foreigners here illegally should be allowed to stay...gimme a break...it's like saying bank robbers should be excused from criminal association because they needed to pay the DTE bill

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.

What's so inaccurate about the headline? This is about the deportation of immigrants with ties to our community...

bunnyabbot

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.

The resolution passed by a 9-2 vote Monday night with Council Members Jane Lumm and Marcia Higgins opposing it on the grounds that it's outside the scope of issues the council should be addressing. well thank you for that, it is outside the scope of issues the council should be addressing, apparently though the other nine people have a morphed sense of importance/duty. There is a law, follow the law. Ann Arbor officials should be upholding the law. Immigrants are not being deported. Anyone here illegally should be sent back to whereever they came from, get in line and follow the law. see how well all the people opposed to the law would do in another country. They would be rounded up and shipped back home.

Tex Treeder

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 12:34 a.m.

This is why I voted for Ms Lumm. Now if only we could focus on local concerns, like getting rid of the remnants of the pedestrian law, fixing city streets, helping small businesses downtown instead of hurting them, etc.

Mick52

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:33 p.m.

Kudos to Ms. Lumm and Ms. Higgins for knowing what their job is, and isn't.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.

It's inside the scope of issues if it is an issue that ones constituants are concerned about.

Ron Granger

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.

Please get the illegals off my dole and out of my country.

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.

Not broken significant laws? One could easily claim that excessive immigration resulting from Illegal Immigrants bypassing our laws contributed to the depth of the current Recession. Five times between 1850 and 1914 large waves of immigrants came to the USA. Each wave resulted in high unemployment and economic recession. Immigration driven unemployment of 30% in California resulted in the ridiculous Chinese Exclusion Act. Ellis Island was opened against a backdrop of unemployment exceeding 50% in the states of Maine, Kansas, and Michigan. Unemployment reached 32% for unskilled labor in 1910 thanks to uncontrolled immigration. By comparison unemployment peaked at only 25% in the Great Depression. The lazy scholar looks at today's immigration control and sees only what has happened in their lifetime and cannot conceive of the problems of the past. But it is because of these facts that our immigration laws exist today. People demanded these laws so that immigration would be reduced to a controllable level because immigrants were arriving faster than jobs could be created. That is why we now control immigration. Since that control began we have not had a single immigration driven economic recession. Until now that is. Even at the lowest level of unemployment during the last decade we had 12 million mostly low income Americans looking for jobs, 20% youth unemployment, and increasing numbers of workers earning below poverty level wages, all courtesy of a labor oversupply of 7.5 million working Illegal Immigrants. Today our unemployment rate is 50% higher than it should be thanks to 7.5 million working Illegal Immigrants while 20 million Americans who want to work cannot find a job. And according to US Government and Pew Center statistics the majority of these Americans lost their jobs in the same professions where most Illegal Immigrants work. The laws controlling immigration are actually quite significant.

Cici

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.

@Atticus: They may buy good and services, pay rent, etc. etc. but tell me do they pay taxes?? State and Federal??

Sam Smith

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.

Atticus I know of several unemployed or underemployed Americans that will do your job, wherever you work, for less unless you have a job that only you can do. Is that OK with you? Then because they make less than you do, they can then qualify for you paying their education, health care, etc. I help out people financially even when I'm not in the best position to do so but I can only do so much. As much as I'd like to, I can't save the world. And I need to make sure my house is in order first. If I can't make a living then I can't support anything let alone myself. Kind of reminds me of the city of Ann Arbor's mayor and city council and cronies coming up with grand, idealistic projects while it is falling apart in more ways than not.

Mick52

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:41 p.m.

Here are three articles that speak to the costs associated with illegal immigration. <a href="http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/001050" rel='nofollow'>http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/001050</a> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/02/immigration-costs-fair-amnesty-educations-costs-reform/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/02/immigration-costs-fair-amnesty-educations-costs-reform/</a> In California alone, the figures are staggering, for welfare of children. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/19/welfare-tab-children-illegal-immigrants-estimated-m-la-county/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/19/welfare-tab-children-illegal-immigrants-estimated-m-la-county/</a> California's is a unique case. These are children who are legally US citizens, born to illegal immigrant parents.

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.

To Atticus F. - Your claim that Economic Studies support the idea that illegal immigration is beneficial are based three studies so badly biased statistically that they merely constitute sell jobs pretending to be economic studies. They are from Rob Paral &amp; Associates, Cato, and the Center for American Progress &amp; UCLA. The IPC Report by Rob Paral &amp; Associates was the first of the "Illegal Immigrants are good for the economy" badly flawed studies. Its problems point out the disengenousness of the claim that Illegal Immigrantion helps our economy. The study hoped to hide the bad effects on unemployment from Illegal Immigration in the statistics of Legal Immigrants whose entry into the USA is controlled so that those admitted have the least possible effect on unemployment. Illegal Immigrants barely make up 22% of our Immigrant Population per a recent Pew Center estimate. This seems large and yet statically any visible effect this group has is washed out by the 78% of Immigrants who came here legally. The predominance of data used in this study comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. Both are notorious in claiming that they do not even try to identify if Illegal Immigrants are part of their numbers because they &quot;hide in the shadows." Hiding the statistics of a smaller group in a larger group and then claiming the analysis says anything about the smaller group is statistically incorrect. In fact &quot;a study by Northeastern University's Center for Labor Market Studies in Boston attributes the &quot;unprecedented&quot; levels of legal, illegal, and temporary immigration as a factor underlying the &quot;devastation&quot; in the job scene for America's teens and young adults... That's especially the case for males with no schooling beyond high school and youths from low-income families. Summer seasonal jobs as a proportion of all jobs are at the lowest level now in the past 30 years.&quot; From IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN MAY BOO

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.

One could also argue that these people work for others, buy goods and services, pay rent, pay utilities, ect. They are also willing to do the work that many americans wont do. Also, I've heard figures that contradict what you are saying, and state that immigrant populations actually help the economy.

Michigan Man

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.

Did I read recently that Ann Arbor had the smartest people in the Nation? If so, why were they not elected to City Council? Sounds like perhaps two (2) of the smartest of the smart were elected to City Council and properly opposed this meaningless ordinance, or whatever it was.

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.

You would think that the City Council Members would have a better understanding of the law than what is portrayed in this article. Crossing the border illegally is a criminal offense. It is only overstaying a Visa that is considered Unlawful Presence in the US and thus a civil offense. It falls into the same classification as dumping pollutants, hunting endangered species, and tax evasion. Does the City Council consider these activities as &quot;not a serious crime&quot; also?

jcj

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.

Atticus Still waiting for the name of those countries that don't require documentation to enter!

cinnabar7071

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.

&quot;However I do believe that alot of opposition to immigrants is based in racism &quot; There it is, what took so long to realize you are wrong?

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.

To Atticus F. - You must be another student of re-written history. Over the years people have tried to blame the depressions we suffered that followed each wave of immigration on everything from racism to the sinking of a gold ship in a hurricane off of North Carolina. As I said before, five times between 1850 and 1914 large waves of immigrants came to the USA. And each wave resulted in high unemployment and economic recession. The most common excuse is best epitomized by the Know Nothings. Everyone today claims that their motives to limit Immigration were racist. If that is so, then please explain why history books say that most Know Nothing followers moved on to be Abolitionists. How do you explain why those supposed racists who were crying "immigrants stop coming because we have no work" magically transform into people so determined to end racist slavery that they were willing to go to war?

MIKE

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:40 p.m.

Atticus I hate when everything is blamed on &quot;racism&quot;. Especially when neither Mexican nor Italian are races. Sometimes people can oppose things without being &quot;racist&quot;. And immigration may well need to be reformed. Maybe we can allow more people in legally, if they agree to work legally, pay taxes, and strive to join our &quot;melting pot&quot;. How does that sound for a start?

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.

Mike to answer your question, no, I don't think we should have open borders... However I do believe that alot of opposition to immigrants is based in racism (as it's been since my grandparent came from Italy). And I believe our immigration laws need to be reformed.

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.

To Atticus F. - Just because you claim something is a myth does not make it so. There is significant statiscal proof that periods of high immigration to the US are followed by periods of high unemployment. Do you deny these facts? If so then you need to supply proof that there periods of high immigration were followed by very low unemployment. No such data exists.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.

durendal, people have been blaming immigrants for economic hardships for 200+ years. It's a myth that is probably as old as human civillization. I personally think it's a bit short sighted to not realize that we have been robbed by oil barrons, insurance companies, and banks for the last 12 years or so.

MIKE

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.

&quot;If your neighbor was considering jump a fence to feed his family, would you look upon it as being more egregious than if he were to dump toxic waste in your back yard?&quot; Not a very likely scenario, but I supposed it may depend. Does the fence he's jumping surround my backyard? And is he armed? Somebody that carries around toxic waste would have no problem harming myself and my family with acts of violence. So if he insists on jumping into my backyard, maybe he should drop his waste and leave. After all, how much could he be carrying anyway? A pocketful? Now let me ask you something. Do you believe we should open our borders wide, and allow anyone from anywhere to come on in? After all, why have laws if they don't count? If a country wants to empty their mental hospital, empty into the USA. Terrorists, drug dealers, pirates, open the doors to all, correct? Why or why not?

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.

To Atticus F. - you would consider immigration violations a serious crime if you lost your job or saw your wages eroded thanks to illegal immigration. Apparently you missed the sob stories about Illegal Immigration driven unemployment destroyed American Families. What to do about Illegal Immigration is the great Civil Rights issue of our day. But not in the way you think. Stopping Illegal Immigration and rolling it back is all about protecting an American's right to work without fear of being replaced by Illegal Workers ON THEIR OWN SOIL. According to the Pew Center the jobs where Illegal Immigrant Workers are most prevalent in the USA are Farming, Construction, Transportation and Material Moving, Food Service, and Cleaning. By their very definition these jobs are and always will be American Jobs. NONE can be outsourced. For example, try out-sourcing the construction of buildings to China. Buildings are really hard to air or ocean ship once they are built. Try harvesting American crops, mining American ore, preparing American food, cleaning American buildings, or moving goods in America with workers living in China or India or even Mexico. It cannot be done. From 1979 when there were few Illegal Immigrants in the USA to prerecession 2006 when there were many, real wages for Construction Workers fell 11%, for Material Moving Worker real pay fell 13%, Meat Worker pay has fallen 22%, and Farm Labor Workers now earn less than Parking Lot Attendants. Why no tears for these impoverished Americans? Illegal immigration replaces USA Workers on USA soil in jobs that can NEVER be outsourced with cheap illegal labor.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.

I think the whole point of the debate is that many people believe that this should not be as serious a crime as hunting endangered species or dumping pollutants. If your neighbor was considering jump a fence to feed his family, would you look upon it as being more egregious than if he were to dump toxic waste in your back yard?...And if not, why not?

Usual Suspect

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.

But Janet Incompetano says it's just a civil offense.

jcj

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.

@Atticus If you don't think it is a crime to enter a country without the proper documentation. Then prove your right by trying to sneak into Canada,Mexico,or any one of a hundred other countries around the world and see if they just give you a ticket! Your weak &quot;argument&quot; is like that of a 4th grader!

jcj

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.

Atticus Please site me an example of ANY country that does not call it a crime to enter their country without proper documentation! One country please?

cinnabar7071

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.

&quot;And I would rather live in a country that does not have draconian laws that make criminals out of hard working people. &quot; In this case that would be fantasy land, because no where in the world does that exist. NO WHERE!

cinnabar7071

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.

&quot;I would rather live in a tolerant country, than to live in a country where you could be executed for a simple offense.&quot; Seems pretty tolerant to me, being sent home vs execution.

Usual Suspect

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.

&quot;We are a nation of immigrants.&quot; Completely bogus argument and merely a bumper-sticker platitude. Nobody is denying the value of immigrants, then or now. The topic is ILLEGAL immigration.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:16 p.m.

well you keep making the comparison between our laws and the laws in other countries, jcj... We are not Canada, we are not Iran, and we are not Mexico. And I would rather live in a country that does not have draconian laws that make criminals out of hard working people. And the laws of those countries are irrelevant, and in some case, in my oppinion, unjust.

jcj

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.

Not arguing about how great anyone's laws are. YOU equated being an illegal immigrant with getting a traffic ticket and said it does not make you a criminal! Strange that almost ANY country in the world considers being in their country illegally a CRIME!

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.

Also, you should note that sneaking into Iran or Pakistan could get you executed...Does that make those countries better than us? Or do our laws make us better than them? I would rather live in a tolerant country, than to live in a country where you could be executed for a simple offense.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.

We are a nation of immigrants. And believe me, arguing about how great Mexico's laws are, is truly a week argument.

Technojunkie

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.

What about foreign UofM students who want to stay in America after graduation? Whoops, sorry. They're likely to become net tax payers and vote Republican. Obviously they should be sent away. We should only accept poor illegal immigrants with lots of kids in our expensive government school system.

jcj

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.

Come on Ryan! At least be accurate with the headline and CORRECT it! Name one person that is trying to deport immigrants!

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.

I think some people here don't have the foresight to realize the difference between doing something illegal and doing something criminal. Have you ever had a traffic ticket? it's illegal to go 5 mph over the speed limit...Does that mean you are a criminal if you go 40 mph in a 35mph zone? So if you don't think you are a criminal for breaking the speed limit, why would you be so quick to call another human being a criminal because they want to support their children by working hard?

nicole

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:47 a.m.

You obviously don't have to pay the taxes that go to supporting these illegals.

djm12652

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.

so why enforce any laws? What about the immigants that apply to come here and follow our laws and become citizens through hard work and perseverance...and yes, breaking the law is committing a crime, misdemeanor or felony no difference...a total lack of respect for our laws....if &quot;undocumented&quot; [don't want to offend any sensibilities here] immigrants don't want to follow OUR rules, go back where you came from...and stop having anchor babies be the excuse to continue to break the law...

MIKE

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:34 p.m.

&quot;D. porter, unless your family came over on the Mayflower, I would say that people probably said the same terrible things about your family when the immigrated to this country.' And even if they did! The point your making is that this current round of immigrants(at least the ones that do it illegally) are getting the same treatment those in the past did. I don't think that helps your argument. Anyway, I personally come from immigrant families. One did it 100% legally, the other broke a law or two (give them a break, they were fleeing a Nazi invasion), but insisted on making it legal ASAP. They learned the language, payed taxes, gained citizenship, the whole nine. If we were talking about people with the desire to be American, I would have a different opinion. But if you've been here 10 years, and neither you or your children know the language (I've seen it), then maybe you don't really want to be here anyway.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.

D. porter, unless your family came over on the Mayflower, I would say that people probably said the same terrible things about your family when the immigrated to this country.

D. Porter

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.

Atticus spewed: &quot;Oh, I understand the law. However, I also understand that laws are sometimes unfair and unjust. And I think it's a fair comparison to say that coming here to feed one's family doesn't equate to stealing a car or breaking into someones home.&quot; Er, these parasites are breaking into this country.... you know, the home of Americans. If you think every last one of these leeches break in and proceed to squat and filch just to &quot;feed their families&quot; you've been smoking a bit too much of that top Mexican export. Luckily it isn't up to you and your ilk do decide. Maybe these miscreants should stop irresponsibly reproducing like rabbits if they have to steal from their neighbors to support their ever-so-numerous offspring. What say you?

D. Porter

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.

Say Atticus.... you are confusing infractions (i.e. traffic violations, etc.) with misdemeanors and felonies, genius. The latter two apply to illegal alien parasites. To wit: Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, &quot;Improper Entry by Alien,&quot; any citizen of any country other than the United States who: Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact; has committed a federal crime. Violations are punishable by criminal fines and imprisonment for up to six months. Repeat offenses can bring up to two years in prison. Additional civil fines may be imposed at the discretion of immigration judges, but civil fines do not negate the criminal sanctions or nature of the offense.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.

Oh, I understand the law. However, I also understand that laws are sometimes unfair and unjust. And I think it's a fair comparison to say that coming here to feed one's family doesn't equate to stealing a car or breaking into someones home. So I guess that you could say by definition of what a criminal is, this law is flawed... And it puts hard working people with good intentions into the same catagory as people who walk into walmart and steal a carton of cigs.

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:16 p.m.

I am afraid that it is you who does not understand the law. Here are the facts about immigration law. Crossing the US Border illegally is a criminal offense. Per Section 1325 – Immigration and Nationality Act "Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under Title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both." Title 18 is the US Criminal Code. Calling the act of entered the USA by illegally crossing our border &quot;Non-Criminal&quot; or a &quot;Civil Matter&quot; is incorrect. Furthermore, obtaining a job using a Social Security Number that was either not legally issued or stolen is also a violation of the US Criminal Code. Therefore, it is incorrect to call anyone &quot;Non-Criminal&quot; or engaged in a &quot;Civil Matter&quot; who is working in the USA illegally using a fraudulent Social Security Number.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.

No human being is &quot;illegal&quot;!

Ali

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.

Atticus, &quot;undocumented immigrant&quot; is inaccurate on two counts. Illegal aliens usually have documents, just ones that are stolen or fake. And an immigrant, by definition, is someone who has been admitted for legal permanent residency in the United States.

Ali

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.

No, but people commit illegal acts, and when they come to this country or remain here without our permission, then they become ILLEGAL ALIENS.

MIKE

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5 p.m.

Atticus, what exactly is the law that you fell is unjust? That there are requirements that have to be met before you can enter this country?

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.

D. Porter, &quot;the correct legal term&quot; is degrading, and just plain wrong. As stated earlier, this debate is about challanging a law that I, and many others feel are unjust.

MIKE

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.

Well, we can agree that it's not the persons status a human being that is illegal, but rather his or hers immigration status. So it's not the persons existence that is illegal, rather its presence on this side of the border. I don't know why that would be humiliating.

D. Porter

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.

The correct legal term is &quot;illegal alien&quot; whether you like it or not. These cretins are in no way &quot;undocumented.&quot; Most of them have plenty of documents.... of the forged or stolen variety. Illegal aliens are not &quot;immigrants.&quot; Got it? The way these aliens got here is illegal, hence the term &quot;illegal alien,&quot; Einstein.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.

So we can both agree the term &quot;illegal&quot; is degrading and inacurate? I have no problem calling someone an undocumented immigrant, but I believe it's wrong to call another human beings existance &quot;illegal&quot;. Thats what I mean when I say &quot;no human being is illegal&quot;.

MIKE

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.

No, but some do illegal things. And some have an emigrated into this country illegally. So, it's not the person that is illegal, rather the persons immigration status. Hence, &quot;illegal immigrant&quot;. It it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, call them &quot;good people that break the law when it suits them and demand no repercussions&quot;.

justcurious

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.

Shouldn't that headline read ILLEGAL immigrants?

xmo

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.

I like the sign in the picture but we need to change the wording to &quot; Oppose Unjust Taxation Enforcement&quot;. It's criminal to have to pay taxes when others don't! I think everybody should get one &quot;Gimme&quot; you can have Free immigration and I will take Tax Freedom! It's Only Fair!

EyeHeartA2

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.

&quot;While it's true that Ann Arbor is not on a border precisely, it is also true that a major number of people in our community are at risk of deportation and they're at risk not because they've committed crimes,&quot; Sorry, wrong. Entering the country illegally is a crime.

jcj

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.

&quot;The Ann Arbor City Council weighed in on the national debate over immigration policy Monday night, passing a resolution opposing increased federal enforcement&quot; &quot;increased federal enforcement&quot; Are you kidding me? ANY enforcement would be an increase! Ann Arbor City Council is very active when it comes to things they have no control over. But when it comes to their RESPONSIBILITY they usually hire a consultant. They are a complete joke!

bbb

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.

We have laws that establish the process for immigrating to the US. If you don't follow those laws, like so many honest immigrants do, you're breaking the law and are a criminal. Whether you then decide to &quot;put down roots&quot; in the community, with the full knowledge that the US government can any day send you back to your country of origin, is up to you. But when you are deported don't complain at that point that your family's being separated or you have kids who are citizens. Take responsibility for the situation created by your own illegal actions. Ignoring our immigration laws for those who have evaded law enforcement for a period of time will only encourage more illegal immigration. Like any other law, if the government refuses to enforce it, don't expect it to be obeyed.

glimmertwin

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.

Undocumented = Illegal For those who want to support undocumented/illegal aliens, you pay for them. For those that don't, reduce taxes.

zags

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.

Thank you council members Mike Anglin, Sabra Briere, Sandi Smith and Margie Teall for tackling the toughest problems our city faces. The only time we hear from you is when you bring up issues that are &quot;outside the scope of issues the council should be addressing,&quot; as Jane Lumm and Marcia Higgins pointed out. You four need to put together a local cable show to comment on social issues. Council is not the place for it. Get back to work.

towny

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:43 p.m.

Illegal still means Illegal doesn't it. I guess United States laws don't mean anything to the city council. Opening a can of worms here. All Illegals will be crying to stay now. Glad the Ann Arbor city council has all kind of time for this and none for the important city issues. This is out of city councils jurisdiction and they have over stepped there boundaries. This is for the U. S. Government Immigration to decide. City Council mind your own business.

Usual Suspect

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.

Absolutely HORRIBLE headline. The issue at hand is ILLEGAL immigrants, not immigrants. The other accurate term would be, &quot;Undocumented Democrats.&quot; So, following City Council's lead (and I use the term &quot;lead&quot; extremely generously) I guess I can also decide not to obey laws that don't fit my particular situation. Let's see, on the way to work and back, I guess that would be the crosswalk ordinance. How can you ask people to obey the laws you enact when you want other laws to be ignored? The hypocrisy is not only amazing, it's blatant and disgusting. And I can even use it as a defense in court. &quot;Your honor, I understand City Council enacted this law, but they have publicly stated that they do not believe in the enforcement of laws. Therefore, the charges against me should be dropped.&quot;

djm12652

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.

and I would suspect that might just work....

local

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.

Ann Arbor city council has once again over stepped and spent time on an issue that they can't change. This is a national debate that will work itself out over time. In the meantime, I assume that when you put illegal or undocumented in front immigrants, it means that they are here against the law of the land. As bad as we might feel about this, illegal is still illegal.

USRepublic

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.

I guess we need county wide transportation after all.... To shuttle around all of our illegals and &quot;protect&quot; them from ICE. It's all coming together quite nicely isn't it?

easy123

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.

ok, now Are the roads fixed around Ann Arbor, first. Then, is the education in Ann Arbor the best it could be. Have resolved crime issue, including the rapes we had a few months ago. Have we addressed the A2 budget shortfalls - short term and long term? How about the health cost and pension costs.. This seems to be a long list for the immediate priority of the council. Now with the illegals- I thought that was a Fed. responsibility

no flamers!

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.

The AA City Council really has a rare knack for combining hubris (thinking someone cares about the AA CC's silly resolutions) and a complete lack of courage (to tell its constituents that the AA CC isn't the proper forum for expressing left-leaning political views of issues controlled by the federal government). Just astounding.

townie54

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.

yes they do have criminal backgrounds.They are here illegally.What other things do they ignore about our laws.

jns131

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.

Good point. Didn't think of it that way. Quite right indeed.

djm12652

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.

oh you started it now townie!

grye

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.

Instead of ignoring the law, change the law. You can just pick and chose when to enforce the law. Otherwise, why have laws?

jns131

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.

Love to see how Ann Arbor goes against a federal mandate. City vs Federal Gov. Details at 11. Hate to say but if you are not here legally? Need to try to get legal.

The Black Stallion3

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.

This city council acts like it is part of a socialist state, what are they thinking? Are we still in America?

Fatkitty

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.

It's all part of the liberal agenda. Welcome to Ann Arbor.

Brad

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.

You need to update the headline to include &quot;illegal&quot;, or at least the euphemistic &quot;undocumented&quot;. That's an incredibly important distinction. And I'm sure it was done that way intentionally.

djm12652

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.

well said...

Tex Treeder

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.

I guess we can all just ignore laws we don't like. Let's see how well that works with paying my city taxes.

BornNRaised

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:34 p.m.

So what about all the people trying to get here legally by following the system? If you were starving but people around you were stealing and the local idio... sorry, government said, &quot;We think the stealing law is unjust.&quot; Do they get to continue the illegal activity while you are trying to follow the law? You tell me how 'just' that is! You break the law, you pay the consequences. End of discussion. Only a fool would argue differently.

snapshot

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.

Atticus, You say they are unjust, therein lies the problem. You challenge the law in court as everyone else does, if you lose, you appeal but you don't get to pick and choose the laws you want to obey in the first place, unless you want to pay the price. Except in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county.

Durendal55

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.

To Atticus F. - define unjust. One man's injustice is another man's justice. You just don't get it. Illegal Immigration with periodic legalization makes the economic enslavement of the Western Hemisphere possible. A hundred years ago using millions of Immigrants to create an oversupply of labor to drive down wages was the Robber Baron's tool of choice. Unemployment of 30% in California led to the ridiculous Chinese Exclusion Act. Ellis Island became important because of unemployment above 50% in Maine, Kansas, and Michigan. Unemployment topped 32% for unskilled labor in 1910 thanks to uncontrolled immigration. Now we limit legal immigration. So illegal immigration is the only way left to create the pool of unemployed workers to drive down wages. By hording economic development in our own back yard while turning a blind eye to the elite of other countries who oppress their own people means the supply of cheap Labor never dries up. When caught those responsible whine and push to give illegal workers legal status and start the exploitation all over again when no one is looking. Economic Justice for the poor of the world does not start with being able to illegally immigrate to the USA. Nor does it start with redistribution of wealth. It starts with putting an end to the international exploitation that is illegal immigration thus ending the hording of economic development in the USA and allowing it to spread to other countries. Fear drives this economic hording. The fear that the USA will lose its preeminent place in the world if other countries develop economically. It's time to end that fear and quit allowing this exploitation to go on, not support it through poor enforcement and periodic amnesties.

Atticus F.

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.

It's about standing up to unjust laws. If only in a symbolic way. And the fact that we can speak out about laws that we feel are unjust or unfair is what makes our country so great.