Illegal immigration may be a hot-button national issue, but in Baltimore City, the growing political strength of the Hispanic community means hardly a candidate for mayor supports shipping illegal immigrants back home ? a fact advocates and community leaders attribute to both money and votes.
“We?re going to deliver 5,000 voters in the mayor?s race,” said Nicholas H. Ramos V, president of the Baltimore Hispanic Business Association.
“We are working to educate people to vote so that we have more influence,” said Ramos, who plans to hold a fundraiser for Mayor Sheila Dixon on Wednesday.
Community leaders in Fells Point said the city?s popular tourist destination is so reliant upon immigrant labor that nobody supports sending illegal immigrants home.
“You go into the kitchensof most places in Fells Point, and Hispanic workers are cleaning the bars. The restaurants are totally dependent on immigrants,” said Alicia Horn, a Fells Point bar owner and member of the Fells Point Community Association. “It will not be an issue for us.”
But several raids by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, including a January sweep of day workers congregated near the upper Fells Point 7-Eleven on Broadway and Lombard streets, highlight the tension between illegal immigrants and the community.
“It?s an important issue for us,” said Kristin Baikauskas, president of the Upper Fells Point Improvement association, a group that represent residents in areas with a high concentration of Hispanic businesses.
“When you have people living under the radar, it erodes the quality of life. We see more trash, parking problems, overcrowding ? many negative effects and nothing is done.”
“We expect action,” she said.
But Fernando Arce, a lawyer who advises immigrants on how to obtain citizenship, said he expects the next mayor to help day workers who congregate on the corner that was raided by ICE.
“The police are constantly coming and telling them to move on, so the men don?t find any work,” Arce said. “That?s a big problem.”
Indeed, many recent immigrants interviewed by The Examiner said fear may be galvanizing some Hispanic residents to pay attention to the mayor?s race, despite the limitations of what the city can do.
“People are afraid they are going to be separated from their families by being deported,” said Jennifer Diaz, standing outside Rosita?s restaurant on upper Broadway. “They?re looking for help.”
Candidates speak out
As part of The Examiner?s ongoing coverage of Baltimore?s mayoral race, we asked the candidates to offer their assessment of illegal immigration and how they would handle the issue if elected.
Andrey Bundley (D)
“We have a confused federal policy. But until the federal government clarifies itself, I will be humane to make sure children are not separated from their parents and people are treated fairly.”
Del. Jill Carter (D)
“In a city that is losing population, we should embrace any group that is contributing to our city. To the extent that they are being productive, we need to assist them in getting full citizenship.”
Frank Conaway (D)
“I think the city should be a great melting pot. Hispanics seem to live respectable lives and take care of their neighborhoods and work hard. I think they?re an asset.”
Anthony McCarthy, spokesman for Mayor Sheila Dixon (D)
“Mayor Sheila Dixon supports the creation of a day labor center in the city. She believes that one of Baltimore?s greatest strengths is its diversity.”
Elbert Henderson (R)
“I think the immigrants that we currently have here are doing jobs that we elect not to. In order to keep our city moving, we need them. But they should be paying taxes and participating in our tax system.”
Bob Kaufman (D)
“Anyone who lives in Baltimore should be considered a citizen of Baltimore. They should be allowed to vote and to work freely and become U.S. citizens regardless of what the federal government does or does not do.”
City Councilman
Keiffer mitchell (D)
“This is a federal issue, but right now the city faces a serious murder crisis and we are short officers. We cannot send our police out checking on illegal immigrants.”
Bob Schaefer (D)
“This is a federal issue, and it is the mayor?s job to pay attention to it. However, our restaurant and primary tourist areas depend on immigrants, and we have to be very mindful of that.”
