Murrieta’s assemblywoman seeks immigration help from Gov. Jerry Brown

Murrieta’s assemblywoman seeks immigration help from Gov. Jerry Brown

By Jeremy B. White
jwhite@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2014 - 5:53 pm

A California Assembly member representing a town that has become a flashpoint for a mass exodus of young immigrants into the country called on Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday to offer more information and resources to handle the situation.

Protests in the town of Murrieta, prompted by busloads of immigrants passing through the town en route to shelter, have displayed mounting anger on both edges of the debate. Demonstrators on one side have sought to turn back the buses and condemned illegal immigration. On the other side are protesters emphasizing the humanity of youths fleeing violence and poverty.

Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, represents Murrieta in the Legislature. On Wednesday she exhorted Gov. Jerry Brown, who has not publicly outlined a plan for dealing with the immigration surge, to come to her district’s aid and to provide a broader plan.

“My plea to the governor is find out what the end date is,” Melendez said, adding she has been told by the U.S. Border Patrol that buses will pass through Murietta every 72 hours. “What’s the strategy?”

Potential responses Melendez mentioned include more money to deal with the caravan of buses and Brown declaring a state of emergency.
“Right now we need the resources to handle what’s going on,” said Melendez, who also sent Brown asking the governor to obtain more information from the Department of Homeland Security and to “immediately assess and make available state resources to ensure that public safety does not continue to be threatened by this deliberate, federal blunder.”

“Local government, including the County of Riverside, the City of Murrieta and it’s surrounding municipalities, were not given the time or resources to necessary to prepare to service such a massive influx,” the letter reads.

Melendez’s remarks marked the second consecutive day state lawmakers spotlighted the issue. On Tuesday, several Democratic lawmakers toured a Ventura County military base that has been converted into temporary housing and called upon President Obama to move decisively.

Obama has proposed spending $3.7 billion to handle the situation, though that package would need to advance through a Congress that has been fiercely divided over immigration policy.

Because the federal government enacts and carries out immigration policy, California is not responsible for transporting or caring for the immigrant minors. An official with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services said the Brown administration has been coordinating with law enforcement.

“While this situation remains the primary responsibility of the federal government, our office continues to work closely with both federal and local law enforcement officials," chief deputy director Nancy Ward said in an emailed statement. "In fact, long before today’s press conference, local (California Highway Patrol) officers assisted with limited crowd and traffic control at the request of local officials. We will continue to offer assistance to local law enforcement as it’s needed.”

Editor’s Note: This post was updated with the Brown administration’s response at 4:45 p.m. July 9, 2014.

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Call Jeremy B. White, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5543.

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Murrieta lawmaker asks for Gov. Brown's help on immigration unrest

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A U.S. Border Patrol agent keeps watch outside the entrance to the Border Patrol facility in Murrieta during a protest there Monday. (Robyn Beck /AFP/Getty Images)


MELANIE MASONcontact the reporter

Murrieta-area assemblywoman calls on Gov. Jerry Brown to help with public safety resources

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez called on Gov. Jerry Brown Wednesday to provide state resources for public safety in Murrieta, where recent protests over the housing of migrant detainees have served as a flash point in the debate over illegal immigration.

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Melendez, a Republican whose district includes Murrieta, demanded Brown immediately contact Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to find out how long the federal government intends to bring the migrants -- predominantly women and children from Central America -- to the city's Border Patrol station for processing.

"I understand that they're trying to identify the best places to handle these immigrants," Melendez said to reporters Wednesday morning.

"I honestly don't understand why they chose Murrieta."
"My plea with the governor is: Find out what the end date is," she added. "What's the plan? What's the strategy? You can't do this in perpetuity."

Federal officials said last week that 140 immigrants, primarily those detained on the Texas border, would be transferred to Murrieta every 72 hours for processing. They would then be released into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

But officials have since been mum on details on the detainees' movements, citing safety concerns. Three convoys have been delivered to facilities in San Diego county, instead of Murrieta.

Melendez said the city also needed additional public safety resources to supplement the local law enforcement officers who have been dealing with protestors.

Last week, protests blocked the arrival of detained immigrants to a federal processing center in the city. Since then, the site has been home to large and rancorous demonstrations and counter-demonstrations.

"We have our law enforcement who are at the Border Patrol station instead of out patrolling the streets," Melendez said.

Although she said she was not claiming there was a "criminal crisis" as a result of the clashes, she suggested Brown could call in the National Guard to bolster local law enforcement or declare a state of emergency to make financial resources available.

"It's up to the governor to decide, but I think all actions should be on the table," she said.

Melendez, who sent a letter to Brown calling for his assistance, said she has not had any direct communication with him about her request.

Nancy Ward, chief deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that "while this situation remains the primary responsibility of the federal government, our office continues to work closely with both federal and local law enforcement officials."

"In fact, long before today’s press conference, local CHP officers assisted with limited crowd and traffic control at the request of local officials," Ward said. "We will continue to offer assistance to local law enforcement as it’s needed."

http://www.latimes.com/local/politic...709-story.html