NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt

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An American Dream or Nightmare?

America is truly the greatest country in the world. Only in America can an individual rise up from poverty to greatness, chart their own path unencumbered by tyranny and live their life with liberty. Whether an American by birth or by naturalization, we have the opportunity to realize the American Dream. We share this pursuit together and must learn from the lessons of history. On September 11th, 2001, our nation was indelibly stained by the blood of our citizens and the nightmare that followed. This attack on American soil was directly linked to our failure to enforce our immigration laws. While we welcome legal immigrants to America to share in the American Dream, we must never open our arms to illegal immigration. We cannot afford to repeat the nightmare of 911.

During the end of September, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in coordination with Nassau and Suffolk County Police conducted raids throughout Long Island arresting 186 people on various immigration charges.  Instead of applauding federal authorities for enforcing our immigration law, Tom Suozzi has made it clear that he does not want the federal government to enforce our immigration laws (unless they are convicted criminals under US law). As reported in Newsday, Police Commissioner Mulvey was upset that the raids included other "non criminal" illegal aliens. He even went so far as to charge that the raids damaged the relationship between Police and the community. 

Did the Nassau County Police validate if any of those detained were subjects of deportation orders? Did they determine if any were wanted on other warrants? Did they determine if any had criminal records in their host countries? The answer is NO. Either the County Executive supports enforcing our immigration laws or he prefers open borders. Based on his prior actions and his recent statements, it appears that he supports the latter.

In the 1990's as Mayor of Glen Cove, Tom Suozzi spearheaded the effort to open a hiring hall for illegal aliens. He called the hiring hall, ''rational, logical, fair, equitable solution to a real problem... This is not going to just go away because people are yelling and screaming about it.'' The hiring hall which is run by a nonprofit organization called La Fuerza Unida obtained $65,000 in funding from the city's Community Development Agency. 1 Several years later when asked about hiring halls, he stated that they are "a matter of common sense" and referred to those who are utilizing the hiring halls as "men who are just trying to live the American dream." 2

Even those who may agree with the County Executive over hiring halls draw the line at providing benefits to illegal aliens. Trying to equate illegal immigration with legal immigration, he has strongly endorsed providing taxpayer funds for services to illegal aliens and criticized local governments who refuse to do so. He actually was quoted as saying, "If people are playing by the rules of a community, then we should treat them as people and let them take advantage of the services." 3  While running for Governor, he felt compelled to pledge that he would not enforce the Deficit Reduction Act which requires states to demand proof of citizenship by Medicaid applicants. 4

The County Executive has endorsed Spitzer's plan to grant driver licenses to illegal aliens. This is consistent with his confusion over the American Dream. While addressing a protest by thousands of illegal aliens last year in Manhattan, he stated, "If you go to work every day, if you live by the rules of our community, you deserve to live the American dream." 5

"A man who thinks of himself as belonging to a particular national group in America has not yet become an American, and the man who goes among you to trade upon your nationality is not a worthy son to live under the Stars and Stripes."  Woodrow Wilson, U.S. President

The 911 Commission found that all but one of the nineteen 911 terrorists had fraudulent documents which were obtained through the use of gateway documents such as driver licenses. With the use of driver licenses, those who are here illegally can create lawful identities. They then can utilize these documents to travel freely within the United States. As to the requirement that a foreign passport be accepted, these can be easily forged. Furthermore, due to reciprocity from state to state, these licenses must be recognized by all of the other 49 states. This is the lesson of September 11th.

No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it.        Teddy Roosevelt

We strongly support and endorse the enforcement of our nation's immigration laws. The American Dream must be defended  by every elected official and that includes Tom Suozzi.
 

1 Quietly, a Glen Cove Center Opens for Immigrants  NY Times, June 24, 2001

2 Coming to terms with the men on the corner  NY Times, December 17, 2006

3  Suozzi to meet with Golisano  Newsday, March 12, 2006

4 Mineola American, August 4, 2006

5 Lifting their voices  Newsday, April 2, 2006