Green Bay to deny licenses to companies hiring illegal immigrants
(Published Thursday, June 7, 2007 10:18:59 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. - A proposal to deny city licenses to businesses run by or employing illegal immigrants is one step away from becoming law.
The Green Bay City Council approved the ordinance 9-3 Tuesday night. It requires one more reading before becoming law.
About 100 people spoke before the council vote, with a nearly even split between those who support and oppose the ordinance.
Supporters said businesses who hire illegal workers should be punished for breaking the law. Opponents described the proposal as racist and questioned why the city would adopt a rule it would have difficulty enforcing.
Alderman Jerry Wiezbieskie voted against the ordinance, saying he thought civic leaders and residents would be better off working with their federal representatives to create workable immigration policies.
But council President Chad Fradette, who brought the measure forward, said it would help by discouraging illegal immigrants from coming to Green Bay.
