by Leonard J. Honeyman | April 1, 2009 7:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)

Anti-immigration activists Tuesday tried to link the brutal beating and rape of a Hamden woman who worked in New Haven with the fact that the suspect may be an illegal immigrant.

“They are members of our community,” he said of immigrants. “If they see a crime, they should report it. We expect them to work and be part of the fabric of our community,” he said.

After the formal news conference, DeSefano bristled at a question about a perceived link between poverty and crime and whether New Haven is perceived as having the welcome mat out for illegal immigrants, who may be poorer than other groups. Several times, he testily asked who was saying that. He said the suspect was employed.

“This is a personal act” and has nothing to do with the group to which the suspect belongs, the mayor said of the crime. He said people do not commit crimes because of the racial or ethnic group to which they belong.

Mayor John DeStefano Jr. said there is no correlation between crime and the doubling in recent years of people living here without legal permission in recent years. “There is no evidence that crime is linked to place of birth,” he said. Although the protesters could have fit into a telephone booth, if such still existed on Temple Street, the mayor felt they “needed to be confronted and be shown for what they are.” The group has also called for abolishing of the mayor’s city identification card. Read about card protests here .

Temple Grill’s host on duty Tuesday night, who refused to give his name, said the victim is doing better but declined to answer any more questions. The protesters reportedly accused Mayor John DeStefano of having “blood on his hands” because of his immigration-friendly policies, including the Elm City Resident ID card. Authorities are investigating whether or not the alleged attacker in this case has legal permission to be in the country. According to the city, he did not have one of the ID cards.

A 26-year-old New Haven remains behind bars in lieu of $2.5 million bond in connection with the crime. The 25-year-old victim, who was beaten and sexually assaulted several times, has improved enough to speak with police, according to a report in Tuesday’s New Haven Register . The pair worked together at the Temple Grill. The attack took place last weekend when the man asked the woman for a ride home after work.

Fewer than three hours after two activists briefly picketed the Temple Grill in downtown New Haven, the visibly upset New Haven mayor told a small group of reporters that the protesters’ purpose was to perpetuate “the falsehood of an immigrant crime wave in the city.”

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Posted by: Edward_H | April 1, 2009 8:57 AM "There is no evidence that crime is linked to place of birth," Who is claiming this? I have not read anywhere where anyone claimed any particular nationality is more likely to commit criminal acts.

Posted by: BoristT | April 1, 2009 9:11 AM Mr mayor it doesnt matter, hes in this country illegaly.Stop trying to apease the latin community like you care about the aliens, its about votes and cheap labor.Why cant the people see through this big front.



Posted by: True New Havener | April 1, 2009 9:55 AM Contrast this to the Mayor of East Haven. To stand up now as a politician is a brave thing, even if it is to just state the obvious, that genetics does not cause crime. Kudos to the Mayor. In the Register, the TWO anti-immigrant nuts referred to undocumented immigrants in our town as "monsters" and a "horde." How disgusting to use such a tragic and awful act to spread their hate. It's important to stand up against hate. I'm glad we have a Mayor who does so. It's too bad that the press was so interested in covering a protest by TWO nutjobs that the Mayor actually had to do so.

Posted by: Ilovethiscountry | April 1, 2009 12:32 PM Don't get me wrong a crime has been commented, and we pray for the speedy recovery of the victim. And an investigation to the crime and justice to be served.

However, lets not use this event as a blanket characterization of a community of people. its wrong. Wrong to capitalze on this event to spread hate. It won't work it will back-firer- because its wrong.

Posted by: Ilovethiscountry | April 1, 2009 12:51 PM Thank You MR. Mayor, Thats what leaders are suppose to do standup for whats right and speak agaisnt whats wrong. You could have stayed home, but you knew that the attack on an entire community due to this unfortunate event is wrong. We the voters support you in this case. Readers don't support hate. Standup for whats right.

Posted by: Logic | April 1, 2009 1:28 PM If a person is in the country illegally, doesn't that mean they are breaking a law? If someone is willing to break one law, it is reasonable to belive that they are willing to break other laws. Just because you don't agree with a law doesn't mean it is acceptable to break it. Also, if someone is here illegally and, for example, an employer knows it, the employer can then take advantage of that individual and break laws (minimum wage, safe work conditions, etc) I believe the majority of Americans have no problem with immigration, that's how most of us got here. We just prefer it to be done legally. When done legally it works better for all involved.

Posted by: Westville Mom | April 1, 2009 1:39 PM "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

... Nowhere in this is the word "criminal." "Wretched refuse" and "homeless" are not understood to mean "criminals." The above comment that "a blanket characterization of a community of people" is "wrong" is right on the money. However, it is exactly the stubborn refusal of govt. (both Rep. AND Dem.) to create AND ENFORCE reasonable standards of legal immigration that leads to this "blanket characterization." It's "don't ask, don't tell" for the entire country. Anyone who thinks all illegals are harmless and innocent is blind or naive--or doesn't read the news very often. From hit-and-run accidents, to assaults and murders, to molestations, illegals are proportionally represented. If the public felt trust in our govt. that immigrants as a whole were properly vetted and documented, there WOULD NOT BE a negative characterization of them as a group. It is precisely the "unknown" nature of them that sparks fear. What Mayor DeStefano doesn't get is that his idiosyncratic notion of "sanctuary city" coupled with an "us vs. them" attitude toward people who disagree with him is actually HURTING the very people he purports to help by creating an environment of fear and suspicion of immigrants. We're not stupid, Mayor. We know that crime is not linked to birthplace! But conversely, we don't need to IMPORT more criminals--we have enough here already. If the mayor really wanted to be effective in advocating for the innocent immigrants, he would be promoting better clarification of immigration law, better documentation (background checks), high standards for citizenship, and better enforcement. In the long run, that would all lead to less fear and more trust--and better assimilation for all newbies. (But in the short term a few less votes for Hizzoner?)



Posted by: Ilovethiscountry | April 1, 2009 2:03 PM Look Mr Logic, What we are talking about is the blanket judgement of an entire community base on an incident where a member of that community is the suspect.

Americans are suspected of crimes in other countires everyday, shoulds we all be judged base on the actions of one indiviual. Thats what we are talking about today. Address the hate issue if you can. Say it its wrong.

Posted by: citizen | April 1, 2009 2:30 PM Give me a break look around you problems all over the place they think thier ID cards can be used for everything. its a laugh

Posted by: Borist | April 1, 2009 2:39 PM LOGIC your exactly right but that liberal left wing talk by ILOVETHISCOUNTRY really doesnt love this country because this is a nation of laws get it.

Posted by: Ilovethiscountry | April 1, 2009 3:25 PM Borist, does it make you feel better about your- self to attack another group of people. Ok B orist your in, you are now one of us.

So what who cares? Have you ever served this country, I did ,

my father did and he couldn't even speak english, all he understood was the words "moveout". My son served twise in Iraq. I am proud to be an american and if you feel that speaking agaisnt hate is being a left wing liberal than iam proud of that too. Hate is wrong bad and it will make you sick. Hate is a carcinogen. did you know that!



Posted by: ilovethiscountry | April 1, 2009 7:22 PM Westville Mom with all the respects.

Can you backup your statement up:

"From hit-and-run accidents, to assaults and murders, to molestations, illegals are proportionally represented" Did you get that from resharch you or someone else did or are you simply projecting your fears. " Anyone who thinks all illegals are harmless and innocent is blind or naive--or doesn't read the news very often". Again you are judgeing an entire community of people based on what you read in the media.

The mayor has called for immigration reform. in the meantime he wants all immigrants to be treated with diginity and respect is that to much to ask for in a "civilized society. Ma No matter how you cut it hate is hate and its bad. I hope you are not teaching your children that. remember treat other how you want to be treated. Tell them that.

Posted by: Attorney 101 | April 1, 2009 10:06 PM This will no doubt be resolved in court. If the alleged rapist is an illegal immigrant, and if he has a city ID card, and if he is convicted in a court of law, then I belive this poor victim will have a very good case of collecting substantial damages from the city for encouraging him to be here, and increasing the risk of violence to its citizens. I would most strongly urge her or her family to contact an attorney immediately.

Posted by: Westville Mom | April 1, 2009 10:14 PM ILoveThisCountry: I'm sorry you don't take the time to read very carefully. Look up the word "proportionally." It refers to the implication that "illegal" criminals are in the same proportion (ratio) to their population as American criminals are to theirs. (uh...that would be as in "equal".) That's no excuse, however, for them not being screened, checked, investigated, vetted, documented--use whatever term you wish. They shouldn't be here. Period. And since a "sanctuary city"--by definition--intentionally rejects this screening (and its consequences), I would say the city bears at least some responsibility for the crimes committed by its illegals. Pretty simple, really. If a school district doesn't do background checks (intentionally and deliberately) and allows a convicted molester to work in a school--and a crime occurs--is the school district not responsible? It's the same logic. I'm just wondering when someone is going to get the idea to sue these cities...in cases where the criminal has a "record", of course.

Having said that, I understand that there will probably be a time (again) in this country when amnesty is granted and "illegals" will become "legal." I'm just saying that not ALL are worthy. Bad guys are bad guys and they should be thrown OUT.

BTW--a "civilized society" IS a society that upholds and enforces its democratically enacted laws fairly and without discrimination. I'm fed up with living in an "uncivilized" city that appears to be becoming more so every day.

Posted by: DingDong | April 1, 2009 11:55 PM Westville Mom

"From hit-and-run accidents . . . illegals are proportionally represented" Westville Mom -- I imagine you mean disproportionally repreented. If so, I don't know if this statement is true. But if it is, did you think that it might because of the relatively recent idiotic REAL ID Act that stops states from giving driver's licenses (and hence insurance) to people without immigration status. If we want to live in a safe country - one that is not blind to the fact that 15 million people live amongst us without immigration status - then states should be allowed to give driver's licenses out, without checking immigration status. What on earth does immigration status have to do with driving anyway? (one is federal, the other state; they really aren't related anyhow). These people are here; we're not going to deport them, whether or not you want to. So let's stop acting like idiots.

Posted by: DAFeder | April 2, 2009 1:25 AM Trivia question: Entering (and staying in) this country as a foreign national without proper documentation is: a) a felony

b) a misdemeanor (Hint: it's not a felony) David

Posted by: paul streitz | April 2, 2009 3:04 AM The New Haven ID card is in violation of US Immigration law which gives criminal penalities to anyone who induces an illegal alien to enter, reside or work in the United States. It is that simple. The New Haven ID card was promoted as an inducement to reside in the United States. Under Federal Law, the mayor, his staff and those that created and promoted this card, are subject to fines and imprisonment. The problem is that no one enforces the law at the border, the laws against employment, the laws against housing illegals and the creation of such inducements as the New Haven ID Card. Clearly, if you are inducing illegals to come into the United States, and remain in New Haven, you become responsible for their subsequent actions. They could not commit crimes in the United States, unless they were here. The mayor and the City of New Have have clearly accomodated these illegal aliens. It is well known that illegal aliens commit crimes at a higher rate than American citizens and one does not have to search the internet very hard to find murders, rapes, assaults and vehicular homicides committed by illegal aliens. This vicious assault was a crime waiting to happen, and the New Haven ID card was both negligent of the dangers, and a contributory factor.

Because this is a criminal issue, and criminal behavior on the part of the mayor and his staff that has contributed to this horrific assault, the victim has a good chance of millions in restitution coming from the City, Yale University (whose professor gave legal advice on the card), the city councilmen and the adminstrators. This is personal liability because the normal protections given a government employee do not apply to criminal behavior. If this person is convicted, and is illegal, the mayor, the officials, the administrators, and Yale University will be facing millions in law suits as contributors to this crime, not by criminal negligence, but by criminal behavior that was a contributing factor to the attack on this woman. They also face the possibility of criminal charges and years in jail, if and when, we find an adminstration that is willing to enforce federal immigration law. Paul Streitz

CT Citizens for Immigration Control

ctcic@optonline.net

Posted by: William Kurtz | April 2, 2009 7:41 AM Logic wrote,

If a person is in the country illegally, doesn't that mean they are breaking a law? If someone is willing to break one law, it is reasonable to belive that they are willing to break other laws. Just because you don't agree with a law doesn't mean it is acceptable to break it.

I'm surprised that you would use the handle 'Logic' with an argument this specious. By your reasoning, if you have ever exceeded the posted speed limit on a highway or local road (and I can't believe you never have), we can assume that you, too, are "willing" to commit a violent sexual assault.

I'm surprised that you would use the handle 'Logic' with an argument this specious. By your reasoning, if you have ever exceeded the posted speed limit on a highway or local road (and I can't believe you never have), we can assume that you, too, are "willing" to commit a violent sexual assault.

Posted by: Ilovethiscounrty | April 2, 2009 8:58 AM Westville MOM, I am not one of your children. I don't agree with you "ma" I think they are involved in less crimes then you think not "proportional" or "equal" citizens per ratio.

MA, a crime has been comitted, and we pray for the speedy recovery of the victim. And an investigation into the crime and justice to be served. You wrote " IS a society that upholds and enforces its democratically enacted laws fairly and without discrimination" Knock Knock you home ma? However, lets not use this event as a blanket characterization of a community of people. its wrong. Wrong to capitalize on this event to spread hate. It won't work it will back-firer- because its wrong. "Ma".

And if you want to packup and leave because i disagree with you will then adios. Valla con dios (Gods speed) see ya.

Posted by: Ilovethiscountry | April 2, 2009 9:18 AM Westville MA, wrote "That's no excuse, however, for them not being screened, checked, investigated, vetted, documented". From Alaska to Pointa Fuego South America The indigenous People of this Hemisphere agree with you.

Posted by: ilovethiscountry | April 2, 2009 9:40 AM Paul Streitz, please Join John John, and Lance in the john. First is immigrant,then those who don't look like you, then those who don't smell like you.

then those who you don't like you and so on. Hate is hate its bad. What do you fear?

Posted by: Borist | April 2, 2009 1:24 PM ILOVETHISCOUNTRY sure you do take your blinders off nobody hates any one but whats right is right.When my grandparents came over ther was no handouts and they didnt complain they learned the language and whent to work, and payed there taxes.Stop all this nonesense and like i said take your blinders off.

Posted by: William Kurtz | April 2, 2009 3:29 PM Borist, I don't know when your grandparents arrived, or where they came from, but even when I was growing up in the 1970s, it wasn't uncommon to have friends whose grandparents spoke only Italian, or Greek, or German--which is not to deny that they went to work and paid their taxes. To compare immigration today to immigration 50, 60, or 100 years ago is just silly. For one thing, as has been capably explained in these pages (see 'Native American's' comment to an earlier story about Father Manship) the numbers show that 'illegal' immigrants contribute their fair share to the national coffers, while taking much less than their fair share in entitlements. Second, the romantic picture of plucky Europeans arriving at Ellis Island with their grips and valises comes from an entirely different world than we live in today--and you don't really think that people weren't pouring over the Mexican border then, do you?

Posted by: ilovethiscounrty | April 2, 2009 5:07 PM BORIST, IMMIGRANTS PAY FAIR MARKET RENT,UTILITIES, TAXES ARE WITHHELD FROM PAY CHECKS WITHOUT BENFITS, THERE IS NO FREE HANDOUTS THEY ARE PROUD HARDWORKING PEOPLE. THEY WORK AND SPEND AND IF THEY SEND A FEW CRUMBS HOME THEY PAY FOR THAT TOO. THEY ARE NOT A PARTY TO AIG. THEY DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING. LIKE YOUR GRANDPARENTS THEY SEEK A BETTER LIFE.

LIKE OUR GRANDPARENTS WOULD SAY "LIVE AND LET LIVE".