(06/11/07) WHITE PLAINS - Day laborers who successfully sued the Village of Mamaroneck have won an agreement that bans police officers from routinely asking their immigration status or otherwise discriminating against them.

Lawyers also said the village must pay more than $500,000 of the workers' legal fees. The agreement required ratification by the village Board of Trustees, which approved the deal Monday night, and the signature of federal Judge Colleen McMahon. Three board members voted in favor, one voted against, while another abstained. Village attorney Lino Sciaretta confirmed that an agreement was reached earlier in the day.

The federal judge ruled in November that the village discriminated against Hispanic day laborers when it closed a hiring site in 2004, forcing the workers onto the streets, and stepped up police patrols on the streets.

While finding the village liable, McMahon didn't impose a penalty, instead ordering the two sides to come up with recommendations in 10 days.

That was seven months ago, and the two sides have been meeting on-and-off since then, repeatedly winning extensions from the judge. The latest deadline was June 20th.

The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, which represented the six Hispanic immigrant plaintiffs, said a monitor, to be appointed by the judge, would ensure that the village complies.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related Information: Day laborers prepare for new Mamaroneck hiring site Day laborers file lawsuit against village of Mamaroneck Village of Mamaroneck closes day laborer site