Translation Services Spark Debate Between County Leaders

UPDATE: Click here to read the e-mail exchange between County Commissioner Bill James and DSS Director Mary Wilson.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James came under scrutiny for comments he made in an e-mail sent to county leaders on Tuesday.

In it, James questioned why the Department of Social Services offers any translation services for people seeking help. (Click here to read the full e-mail.)

"Virtually all people that don't speak English are illegals," he wrote, adding that "hiring translators would seem to be supporting/providing ... welfare benefits to those that break the law (or are likely breaking the law) which is illegal in and of itself."

The letter was addressed to DSS Director Mary Wilson, as well as county attorneys Marvin Bethune and Tyrone Wade. County commissioners and other leaders received a copy of the e-mail.

It prompted a quick response from County Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Roberts. She not only publicized part of the email on Twitter, but also shot back, saying James “needs a lesson in immigration law."

“I think he's fear-mongering," she said.

Roberts, who worked on immigration issues for two years at the federal level, said the law requires DSS to offer the translation.

“When English is not your first language, and you're reading a legal document or a government document, you feel much more confident in understanding it and in your answers if it's in your native language,” she said.

Channel 9 has learned that the issue goes back to a new contract with the provider of DSS translation services. The status of that contract was unclear as of Tuesday afternoon.

James claimed DSS does not do enough to make sure illegal immigrants are not cheating the system. In an e-mail to Channel 9, he said additional measures are needed.

“DSS is prohibited by federal law from providing them welfare benefits yet DSS is hiring translators for people applying for welfare," he wrote. "DSS uses a verification program that only verifies that a social security number is valid. DSS does not verify that the name and social security number 'match.'"

"Normally, illegals steal someone's social security number (purchase it on the black market) and then match it up with either their own name or a fake name. In some places it is prosecuted as ID theft."

In a subsequent e-mail, James added, “…If you show up at the county to apply for welfare and don’t speak English – that is enough to warrant a full investigation of that persons (sic) citizenship claim.”

Roberts answered those allegations by saying that Mecklenburg County follows all federal guidelines for providing services at DSS, and that if those guidelines required matching to be done, the county would follow those instructions.

She also acknowledged that some illegal immigrants may be trying to get services they should not be, but she said that is no reason to deny people who are here legally what they are entitled.

"We want to protect U.S. citizens," she said. "We want to make sure they are not unduly targeted as being illegal, undocumented, scheduled for deportation when they're citizens."