Thread: Napa Council denounces immigration bill

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Napa Council denounces immigration bill
By KEVIN COURTNEY, Register Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 19, 2006 1:13 AM PDT
By KEVIN COURTNEY

Register Staff Writer

The Napa City Council went on record Tuesday night as opposing the most punitive immigration reform measure kicking around Washington, D.C., in favor of a more balanced approach.

The council urged its federal representatives to reject a House of Representatives measure that would make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally and punish humanitarian agencies that offered aid.



The council was responding to recent protests by the local Latino community against House Resolution 4437. Two weeks ago, a group of about 100 Latinos asked the council to support less draconian immigration reform.

Since then, more than 1,000 Latinos paraded through downtown and were addressed by Mayor Jill Techel from the steps of City Hall.

City staff had submitted for council consideration a relatively bland resolution that did not comment directly on H.R. 4437. The resolution asked Napa’s federal representatives to “consider the health, safety and welfare concerns raised by the city’s citizens and residents” when acting on potential immigration reform legislation.

That language didn’t go far enough, said Councilman Kevin Block, who described himself as “very deeply, personally touched” by the people who addressed the council two weeks ago.

Speaking in emotional terms, some two dozen Latinos had told of the work they do in local homes, fields and businesses. They asked the council to recognize their importance to the community.

Block offered a revised resolution that more fully spoke to what Latino protesters had been asking. It said:

“The City Council supports immigration reform which provides an opportunity for those who have contributed to American society and to the city of Napa, and demonstrate their commitment to leading productive and law abiding lives, to achieve legal status, as well as the dignity and respect which are the inalienable right of all human beings.

“The City Council requests that federal legislative representatives of the city of Napa reject the approach to immigration reform embodied in H.R. 4437 in favor of an approach that strikes a more appropriate balance among national security, law enforcement, economic, humanitarian and other important considerations.”

The final paragraph of the resolution directs staff, including the chief of police, to continue to “facilitate the lawful and peaceful exercise of the peoples’ right to lawfully and peacefully assemble and raise concerns related to the public health, safety and welfare.”

There was little discussion of the measure, which was adopted on a unanimous vote, with Councilman Harry Martin absent. Earlier, Martin had said he would support such a resolution.

Some two dozen Latinos as well as others in the audience applauded the council vote. “I think it goes to the point,” said Alejandro Oyarzabal, who had helped translate Block’s motion into Spanish.

“I am thrilled for them listening to our concern,” said Maria Garcia of Napa. “It’s what we wanted from them. We just want to live here peacefully in the United States which we love very much.”

During public comment, Joe Fischer of Napa said this country would be “net losers” if immigrants were not available to do all the work that they do.

Councilman Mark van Gorder said that H.R. 4437 had served a beneficial purpose. “This proposed bill has brought us together to discuss this particular issue,” he said.

Currently, Congress is in recess. When it reconvenes, the Senate is scheduled to resume debate on immigration reform. There are proposals that would strengthen border security while offering a path to legalization for undocumented workers who met new requirements.

“I am thrilled for them listening to our concern,” said Maria Garcia of Napa. “It’s what we wanted from them. We just want to live here peacefully in the United States which we love very much.”

Yea, is that why they hung our flag upside down underneath the Mexican flag and posted a sign in a nearby tree that said F--- Bush?

They love this land, but not our culture and they'll be darned if they're going to respect our laws.