Plan Aims To Punish Firms With Illegals

Asheville — Asheville Councilman Carl Mumpower will present a proposal Tuesday to target businesses that employ illegal immigrants, perhaps by restricting the business licenses of those who do.

Mumpower will make a presentation about local response to illegal immigration at the regular council meeting at 5 p.m. He said he believes the illegal immigrant work force in the area is substantial.

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Nora Ardila, a volunteer who helps with WPVM 103.5 FM’s Spanish-language programming and who formerly directed the Latino Digital Literacy Project sponsored by WPVM, is concerned.

She said a recent announcement that local law enforcement officers will join forces with federal agents to arrest and deport illegal immigrants plans sounds “pretty extreme.”

“I don’t think that’s a good approach at all,” she said.

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Mumpower’s proposal calls for:

— Funding and supporting the transportation to Atlanta of illegal aliens arrested here for breaking the law.

— Exploring various options for city enforcement of immigration laws, such as the idea of restricting business licenses of companies that employ illegal immigrants.

— Passing a resolution at the local level to send to the local legislative delegation calling for “prompt and meaningful intervention policies with illegal immigrants and those who employ them.”

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