D.C. watchdog targets Seattle day-labor center

A Washington, D.C.-based group that dogged a Virginia day-labor center serving illegal immigrants until it was forced to close last week has turned its attention to a similar operation in Seattle.

Perhaps best known for its many lawsuits against then-President Bill Clinton, Judicial Watch said it's investigating the city of Seattle's $250,000 grant to help Casa Latina resettle into a new headquarters in the Central Area.

Casa Latina also gets $141,000 a year from the city to support a range of immigrant services, including the operation of a day-labor center along Western Avenue that attracts large numbers of illegal immigrants looking for work.

In letters to Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and the City Council last week, Judicial Watch says the city's support of Casa Latina amounts to abetting illegal immigration in violation of federal law.

"We are very disturbed because, as a matter of law, what appears to be taxpayer money is being used to subsidize criminal activity at day-labor centers," said Chris Farrell, director of investigations with Judicial Watch.

"The city of Seattle is not sovereign over the United States; cities, counties and states can't thumb their noses at federal law."

Judicial Watch's threat against the city is not idle. Last week, the Northern Virginia town of Herndon closed a controversial center for immigrant day laborers nearly two years after Judicial Watch sued the town for publicly funding the site in a case that became a flashpoint in the debate over illegal immigration. The group is involved in 31 immigration-related matters nationwide, including in Seattle.

It turned its attention to Seattle after neighbors of Casa Latina's future location in the Central Area asked for the group's help. It is set to make a presentation during a monthly mediation meeting between those neighbors and Casa Latina, planned for 5 p.m. Monday at the Douglass-Truth branch of Seattle Public Library, 2300 E. Yesler Way.

Officials with Seattle's mayor's office say they've received Judicial Watch's letters and plan to respond to its request for public documents. But the mayor is unbending in his support for Casa Latina.

"The mayor is a strong supporter of the efforts of Casa Latina and others to help people in Seattle find work and provide for their families," spokesman Marty McOmber said.

In February, the City Council unanimously approved spending $250,000 to help Casa Latina move to property at 17th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. The state also contributed $1 million.

Set to open in 2009, the $3.5 million complex will consolidate the English-language training, day-labor and other immigrant services Casa Latina now provides in separate Belltown locations.

Hilary Stern, Casa Latina's executive director, called Judicial Watch's action a publicity stunt with no legal basis.

"Theirs is clearly an anti-immigrant, racist, nativist agenda, which won't fly in a city like Seattle," Stern said.

Stern noted that her organization helps day laborers recover wages not paid by employers and in that role "we encourage more, not less, compliance with state and federal law."

Judicial Watch is a watchdog group with a history of using litigation as its primary tool to challenge government actions it opposes.

In the Virginia case, the group sued shortly after a day-labor center opened in 2005 as an alternative to streetside hiring of workers. The center closed last week after nearly two years of public wrangling that resulted in the removal from office of a mayor and City Council members who had supported the center.

Farrell said such centers violate federal laws that prohibit knowingly hiring illegal immigrants and abetting their unlawful presence. And by supporting them, cities are guilty, too, he said.

Maria Beppu, who has a business near the Central Area site, said she didn't contact Judicial Watch but she's glad the group is involved.

She is among neighbors of the new Casa Latina location who are worried about the presence of the center's day laborers on neighborhood streets. Since March, the neighbors have been meeting with Casa Latina and a mediator in hopes of reaching some agreement.

"We sit at this table and listen to all they are presenting, and we are no closer than we were when it first started," she said.

Lornet Turnbull: 206-464-2420 or lturnbull@seattletimes.com