Immigration discussion continues in Keyport Resident's comments spark new debate over recently rejected law BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer KEYPORT - Three weeks after the borough rejected a law that would make renting to illegal immigrants a crime, strong reactions continue to emanate at borough gatherings. On Nov. 6, resident Roy Cadoo rekindled the debate, speaking in support of the rejected law. If enacted, the law would have curbed overcrowded housing conditions by fining landlords who rented to illegal immigrants. "They have no rights," Cadoo said of the illegal immigrants. "I don't care what the ACLU or what the goody-goody-two-shoes are saying. "The people in this country make $7.50 an hour minimum wage and pay taxes," Cadoo said. "These other people make $10 to $15 an hour, get picked up and dropped off and given a lunch. And we say, Oh, these poor illegals. No. They're here illegally. "The school system doesn't require a [certificate of occupancy] for these people," Cadoo continued. "Do they require inoculations? [Something] could be transferred to our kids - our kids - who are here legally." The resident also criticized the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Clergy and Christian Leaders, for providing locals with Spanish-language pamphlets, offering ways on "how to get around the system." "Let the churches open up clinics and schools and teach them English, which is our language," Cadoo said. Cadoo also read the definition of the word illegal and a portion of the state's constitutional pledge, which is spoken by elected officials upon being sworn into office. "You're not abiding by the Constitution," Cadoo told the councilmen. "These people have no rights." Cadoo also complained that Latino residents who came to the Oct. 17 council meeting were disrespectful during the Pledge of Allegiance. "The illegals back here did not remove their hats," Cadoo said. He received scattered applause for the statement. Afterward, resident Al DeGracia spoke in defense of illegal immigrants. "They're the victims here, not us," DeGracia said. "Have a heart, OK? Are they here illegally? Sure. But don't kid yourself. They contribute more to the economy than you think." DeGracia said illegal immigrants must pay sales tax on everyday purchases, just like everybody else. And landlords who rent housing to illegal immigrants pay property taxes to the borough. "Believe me, these undocumented workers contribute more than you think. The government knows that. Big business knows that. They look the other way," DeGracia said. "We pay for their health care," Cadoo responded later. "What health care?" DeGracia responded, then repeated the question several times. "What health care?" Mayor John Merla also reacted strongly to Cadoo's comments, saying the issue is a federal problem and should not be handled locally. "There are two issues here: illegal immigration and overcrowding," Merla said. "Maybe all the overcrowding isn't all from illegals." The mayor addressed the issue of illegal immigration first. "Anyone who watches CNN knows ... the Democrats and the Republicans could not come to a consensus as to how to deal with this issue," Merla said. "The federal government has the power and the means to do so right now," Merla continued, "not little Keyport, not our 18-man police department." The mayor also spoke about ways he has tried to improve the situation. About nine years ago, he said, the council and police department held several meetings in local churches, "working to get illegals bank accounts and on becoming legals," Merla said. Unfortunately, that effort failed. Undercover police officers have patrolled the muster zone on Broad Street and Maple Place, Merla reported, to ensure the safety of Keyport's citizens. Also, he has written letters on the topic to several state leaders, Merla said. "I have to take offense when you say we've done nothing," Merla said. Enacting a new law would not solve anything, Merla said. "The first minute we adopted that ordinance we would've been sued," the mayor said. "This little town would have been sunk." As for overcrowded housing, that problem is much less expensive. "Overcrowding, we can deal with it," Merla said. "It's an issue, but we're doing the best we can." The mayor was the only official to speak on the matter. Councilman Joseph Wedick, who proposed the illegal immigrant ordinance in October, was absent from the proceedings.