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Immigration protections exist already, council says By Tanya Sierra UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER September 13, 2006 NATIONAL CITY - While other cities in the county aggressively attempt to rid their communities of undocumented immigrants, local activists are planning to turn National City into a "sanctuary city." Such a classification means city funds will not be used to enforce federal immigration laws, which is already the case in National City. Mayor Nick Inzunza declared in an interview on National Public Radio last week that he wants National City to be a sanctuary city, a designation being promoted through a grass-roots effort in other parts of California and the country. However, the other City Council members are irritated that he never informed them of the idea. "If he wants to declare it, he can do it as Nick Inzunza, but he can't declare it for the city," said Councilman Ron Morrison. "We've already done so many things as far as the acceptance of the (matricula consular) ID cards. We've made sure that our police policy is such that we're not out there calling the Border Patrol on people." Inzunza said in a written response to questions that there was no need to notify the council of his intent because city policy already prevents immigrants from being targeted for deportation without reason. "I hope that my residents who I was elected to represent feel that they will not be harassed, not allowed to stand on the streets and look for work or kicked out of a neighborhood canyon," Inzunza wrote. In other areas of the county, those cities' officials have enacted laws targeting undocumented immigrants who want to live and work in those communities. In Vista, for example, day laborers can't get work unless their employers register with the city before hiring them. The employers must display certificates on their vehicles when they hire workers and provide those workers with "term sheets" that document the rate of pay and type of work. City officials in Escondido are creating a law that makes it illegal for landlords to rent to undocumented individuals, which could force families from their homes. "These sort of municipal actions will not be tolerated in our jurisdiction," Inzunza said. "We will uphold the constitution that protects human and civil rights and use local authority to provide service to all of our residents. Their immigration status will be left to the federal authorities." Other cities in the state have deemed themselves sanctuary cities, including Maywood, Pomona, Huntington Park and Coachella. The designation in some of those cities has brought protests from organizations such as Save Our State and the Minuteman Project, which maintain that immigrants who enter the country illegally create political, economic and social mayhem. In Maywood last month, Save Our State staged a protest to "punish the city . for their transgressions" by disrupting traffic and commerce. The city had to pay for extra police, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times. Although Morrison supports not using city resources to enforce federal immigration law, to go so far as to declare the city a sanctuary is unnecessary, he said. "Doing this sanctuary thing, to me that just sounds like a lot of fluff," he said. Council members Luis Natividad, Frank Parra and Rosalie Zarate said they were surprised by Inzunza's declaration on the radio. "It hasn't been discussed with us and I think it should have been," Zarate said. Inzunza said his radio statement was nothing more than a proclamation reaffirming the city's current practice, which does not need council approval. "Luis Natividad was the first to say this on the radio," Inzunza said in his written statement. "If I were to talk to a third (council member) it could violate the Brown Act." Morrison believes that if the city is going to be named a sanctuary city, it does need a council vote. City Attorney George Eiser said enacting a law requires a majority vote by the council, but a proclamation such as Inzunza's does not. Meanwhile, immigration activist Enrique Morones and others are planning a rally for Sept. Petitions have already been distributed and Morones said many listeners have called into his afternoon radio program saying they support the idea. "We want to promote unity," said Morones, who is the founder of Border Angels, a faith-based volunteer group that leaves food and water in the desert for illegal immigrants crossing the border. "What's going on in Escondido and Vista - those are racist propositions. People in the United States, no matter what their immigration status, should be able to live peacefully, Morones said. "(Immigrants) have contributed greatly to the economy of this country," Morones said.
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