7--09 Abington
just recently installed an ordinance requiring home improvement
contractors to show that they had signed up with the state to be
licensed and registered. A resident has questioned why Abington
doesn't similarly require businesses to show that they have
complied with the I-9 immigration requirement when they
apply for permits to do business in Abington. A great way to
locally aid the enforcement of Federal & State laws. If
you have any insight on this, let us know.
10-07
Since about June of 2006 Abington residents have
asking their Commissioners to recognize the impact that
Illegal Aliens have in our own community , as well as in our
state and nation as a whole.
The impact on jobs,
hospital services, crime, etc. affects us all and many would
like a place where we can locally unite to get information
about how our laws are being enforced by our police, and what is
being done by our paid and elected officials.
The Commissioners
have been asked to consider issues such as, for instance,
making sure that Abington contracts for service are given only
to companies that comply with all Federal Laws. These
Federal Laws prohibit the hiring, harboring or
transporting illegal of aliens. They also have
been asked to emulate and support other communities that are
struggling to do the same.
Abington
Commissioners have stated that caution is necessary, as we do
not wish to entangle the township in endless legal battles and
that is a justifiable position. However, we would not like that
to be a reason for doing nothing and some wish that their
Commissioners would foster an environment where we work together
as a community to discuss and to find resolutions that apply the
law and take ALL views into consideration.
Many times, as
recently again as on October 29th, the Commissioners have been
asked to form an OPEN on-going forum - a committee of
residents and all those interested in coming together to find
solutions for this problem . We have not yet had a positive
response to this proposal.
Abington Police, as
we understand it, do work in conjuction with ICE ( Immigration
Customs and Enforcement ) when the case warrants.
We have spoken to residents who feel that other solutions other
than the firm application of "the law" should be something we
need to all consider. What about families that have been
established here for many years? If deportation is a
possibility, what happens to the families that are split?
This is not just a "national problem" that is dealt with
"elsewhere". This is, and should be, a concern of us all.
That is why Abington Citizens Network so highly advocates that
we find a way to open forums ---- forums that are on-going ( we
can't resolve all of this in 5 minutes) and forums that
include ALL residents - not a few "appointed" citizens. We
can use this issue to learn how to come together to find
resolutions that include all viewpoints.
Among the Abington
residents who have spoken up on this issue is Mike Curtis, contact
him at
mwcurti6348@comcast.net
If
you would like to add a comment or a thought or include your own
information here, on any side of this issue, please
contact us
