Mayor talks immigration at local church
Reporter: Liz Kotalik
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Zoltan Rosztoczy jokes, he's an old American, a title he proudly proclaims.
"When I came to the United States, I came as a refugee, as a Hungarian refugee, after the 1956 uprising."
Zoltan later became a successful U.S. citizen, in part because this country gave him a chance.
His wife, Nancy, says "When Zoltan came here, many communities opened the doors for him."
So, when Zoltan and his wife heard Mayor Rothschild was speaking about immigration at St. Philips in the Hills, they joined their parish in hearing what the mayor had to say.
Bonnie Winn is the co-director of the church's border and immigration ministry, and she says she's excited to have the mayor here.
"We've invited Mayor Rothschild to come here today because we were really excited in August when the City of Tucson passed the immigrant welcoming resolution."
City council approved this resolution, with the encouragement of many local parishes, to separate Tucson from the negative reputation they say S.B. 1070 gave to our community.
The mayor tells Nine on Your Side, "None of us, I think, forget that this is a country that was based on the idea of people coming here from all over the world, working hard, and those that are the most responsible and work the hardest succeed."
People like Zoltan, who listen closely as the mayor preached his believes, that Tucson should be a place where immigrants and refugees feel safe, and that if people obey the law, all are welcome to grow and to stay.
Nine on your side asked the mayor whether those beliefs would be encouraging for others to come to Tucson illegally.
The mayor said that isn't what his intentions are.
He says discussion like today's are what the resolution is about.
Even if people don't agree, it's important to get everyone to see the other side, and hopefully create unity on such a divided issue.
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