Judge temporarily blocks Vista from releasing day-laborer employer data

By: North County Times

VISTA --- A Superior Court judge on Monday granted a temporary restraining order that blocks the city of Vista from releasing information about private employers who have registered to hire day laborers.

A full hearing on the matter will be held July 26.

The American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties sought the order Friday, after learning that the leader of a local anti-illegal immigration group had filed a public records request with the city, seeking the names of the employers.


Under a previous settlement with the ACLU, the city had agreed to give the group time to challenge such a request before handing over the employer information.

In granting the temporary ban Monday, Judge Michael Orfield said the court must balance the right to privacy with the public's right to know.

Vista passed the controversial law last summer, requiring people who hire temporary workers off the street to register with the city, display permits in their car window and present workers with written terms of employment.

The ordinance also states that information submitted to the city by prospective employers will be available as public record.

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