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ABC 7 Project Immigration: Mt. Rainier
posted 02/11/08
5:31 pm
Anchor:
A MARYLAND COMMUNITY IS CONSIDERING A CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL THAT WOULD MAKE IT A "SANCTUARY CITY" FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
EMOTIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH IN MOUNT RAINIER. ANDREA MCCARREN HAS THIS "PROJECT IMMIGRATION" STORY FROM THE TOWN IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.
MOUNT RAINIER IS A SMALL TOWN WITH A BIG ISSUE DIVIDING THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S A PLAN THAT WOULD PREVENT CITY EMPLOYEES FROM ASKING RESIDENTS THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. AND BAN THEM FROM REPORTING ILLEGALS TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.
Victor Ramirez/Mount Rainier resident: "Give me reasons why we shouldn't tell people you can come and live in this town and you're not gonna be harassed, your children and your families are going to be treated equally and fairly."
Scott Sumter/PG Resident: "Because you may look like an illegal immigrant doesn't mean you should be pestered or bothered or put on the spot because of it."
THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 30 SANCTUARY CITIES NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING TAKOMA PARK, MOUNT RAINIER'S NEIGHBOR.
BUT MANY MARYLAND RESIDENTS ARE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO ROLLING OUT THE WELCOME MAT.
"As far as I'm concerned, illegal's illegal."
Brad Botwin/Help Save Maryland: "Whose going to pay the bill if you make the city a sanctuary? I know the answer, it's called Maryland taxpayers."
OPPONENTS OF THE MEASURE SAY IT WOULD MAKE MOUNT RAINIER A *MAGNET* FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, FROM VIRGINIA AND BEYOND. THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE IS ANTICIPATED FEBRUARY 19TH.
A public hearing is set for Feb. 12 at 7 pm here at City Hall. It is expected to be crowded and contentious.
read more stories in Project Immigration
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