As the economy sinks, hostility against undocumented workers ratchets up.

That's the conclusion of immigration experts from different political viewpoints who spoke Sunday at a panel discussion at Molloy College in Rockville Centre. While speakers sharply disagreed about immigration policy, they found common ground when discussing an anti-immigrant backlash.

"Sunday's discussion, sponsored by Molloy's Institute for Christian-Jewish Dialogue and the Long Island chapter of the American Jewish Committee, followed several discussions at Adelphi and Hofstra universities, along with churches and village halls, in recent months. But this one had a sense of urgency because of increasing fiscal woes and a debate over the Suffolk Legislature's attempt to crack down on contractors hiring undocumented workers."

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-liimmi0505,0,1517854.story