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Runners urge city leaders to act on illegal immigration
Apple Valley passes ordinance requiring hiring of legal workers
Gretchen Losi | November 05, 2006

APPLE VALLEY — The lack of action in dealing with illegal immigration and the cost associated with it have prompted Republican lawmakers Sen. George Runner and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner to push city officials within their districts to stepup local efforts.

“We encourage you to think creatively and look to other cities across our state and nation for examples of innovative solutions that are within the authority of local government,” the Runners stated in a letter sent to city leaders.

This is an idea Town of Apple Valley leaders have already embraced.

At the last Town Council meeting, Councilman Scott Native said an ordinance to obtain commitments from business license recipients to hire only legal residents was approved. Lancaster and Santa Clarita have also developed similar ordinances.

Apple Valley leaders also passed an ordinance in September allowing town officials to revoke contracts if it’s discovered the contractor has hired illegal immigrants, Nassif said.

Not all local cities are as ambitious.

Victorville Councilman Terry Caldwell said his city is not actively considering moving in that direction. He said there has been some informal discussions about the issue and whether or not the city should take on some role in the debate.

City officials haven’t received any staff recommendations saying they should consider any options.

“If Victorville were to do anything, we would hope the final product would be a reflection of what the four cities and county would feel is appropriate and that we could all embrace it together,” Caldwell said.

Officials from the city of Hesperia also have not had discussions related to illegal immigration ordinances Councilwoman Rita Vogler said.

“I definitely see it as an issue that will eventually get brought up,” Vogler said. “It’s an issue we have to address.”

Passing illegal immigration ordinances can create problems for cities in the form of costly litigation which is why many cities like Victorville and Hesperia are approaching it at a cautious level.

U.S. rights groups filed a federal lawsuit Friday seeking to overturn an ordinance in Escondido that prevents landlords from renting homes to illegal immigrants, according to the Associated Press.