Judge says public funds can be used for day labor center

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A judge denied illegal immigrant opponents an injunction that would have prevented the city of Laguna Beach from using taxpayer dollars to fund a day labor center.

Superior Court Judge Gregory Munoz issued his ruling Monday saying the city-funded job center provides a public benefit, much like a park. He added there was no evidence that the center was used exclusively by illegal immigrants.

Eileen Garcia and George Riviere, members of the Minuteman Project citizen patrol group, filed a lawsuit in October 2006 to prevent the city from continuing to spend $22,000 annually on the center. The two plan to appeal Munoz’s decision.

“All along I knew this would end up in a higher court,â€