Duncan offers compromise in welfare suit

The federal writ of mandamus against the city of Lexington for allegedly awarding welfare benefits to illegal aliens contrary to law got some attention on the radio this morning.

Mayor Jim Newberry told WVLK's Jack Pattie "I am not for providing services to illegal immigrants unless we are required to by federal law."

That statement sparked the following open letter from Dr. David Duncan:

"Dear Mayor Newberry,

Thank-you for recognizing that federal law trumps your personal preference when it comes to illegal aliens. I look forward to informing Judge Forester that you agree
with me on this issue.

What steps are you taking to insure that you're not inadvertently giving services to which illegals are not entitled to if you have no eligibility and verification mechanisms in place? We all know document fraud is rampant by the illegal community and I think you want lawbreakers punished as much as the taxpayers do. After all, law enforcement is one of the biggest expenses of the General Fund.

Lexington will realize significant financial resource savings once public benefits are discontinued to ineligible recipients. Reducing the monetary incentives for continued illegal immigration into Lexington will curtail such significant negatives as the illicit drug trade, gang activity (4 of 9 criminal gangs in Lexington are Hispanic), and a persistent drain on the public coffers.

Think of the positive publicity the City will receive when it stands up to the pro-illegal immigration lobbyists.

It would be great if you would unilaterally implement the SAVE program in Lexington in all public benefits and health agencies. If you did so in a verifiable manner, I would withdraw my lawsuit and spare the City and you a lot of heartache. If you do the right thing, so will I. How about it?

Will you support implementation of Title 8 Sec 1621? Will you immediately implement the federal SAVE Program and stop the abusive and illegal consumption of taxpayers dollars?

As you are apparently aware, federally protected public services to illegal aliens are limited to:
Public education(K-12)
Emergency medical care
Pediatric immunizations
Treatment for communicable diseases

I look forward to your response. Expending further tax dollars by having contracted your representation to one of the most expensive law firms in Kentucky strikes me as being unreasonable."