Published: June 21, 2010
Updated: 10:27 a.m.

Costa Mesa immigration stance almost costs hotel a conference
BY CINDY CARCAMO
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

COSTA MESA – A hotel in Costa Mesa nearly lost thousands in business from an upcoming conference because of the city's recent declaration against illegal immigration, according to sources cited in a Los Angeles Times article.

An official with the California State Employees Assn. Retirees Inc. called the hotel's reservation department about two weeks ago, asking about the financial consequences to cancelling their two-day conference in mid-August, the Los Angeles Times story stated.

A HIlton hotel in Costa Mesa nearly lost thousands in business because of the city's "Rule of Law" stance, according to the Los Angeles Times.

A representative with the Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, confirmed that a group planning a conference asked about the possibility of cancelling its reservation due to concerns about the city's stance on illegal immigration, according to the Times report.

The conference officials ended up keeping their reservation when they discovered they would be "100 percent responsible" for the 25 rooms over four nights, at an estimated $8,400, and at least $2,000 for meals and drinks, Fitzgerald told the Times.

This is the latest reaction to the city's recent resolution to declare itself a "Rule of Law city" that does not welcome people who are in the country illegally. Last week, 12 anti-"rule of law city" protesters blocked a major intersection in South Coast Plaza.

Click here to read the story.

Click here to read about other O.C. cities that are considering becoming a rule of law city.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com

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