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09-21-2006, 11:58 AM #1
Police rip mayor for proposed sanctuary in National City
http://www.signonsandiego.com
Police rip mayor for proposed sanctuary
Illegal-immigrant plan called 'whimsy'
By Tanya Sierra
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 21, 2006
NATIONAL CITY – In response to Mayor Nick Inzunza's declaration that he wants National City to become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, the city's police union stated that its members will continue to comply with state and federal law and not fall prey to the “political whims of a misinformed politician.”
During Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Dennis Leach, president of the National City Police Officers Association, read aloud a letter addressed to the council, city manager, city staff and “conspicuously absent mayor.”
“The National City Police Officers Association will continue to advise its members that the political whimsy of one individual does not and will not influence us or deter us from our official duties in regard to the enforcement of the law,” Leach said.
Inzunza was absent from Tuesday's meeting, although he was in the office earlier that day. It was the first council meeting since his announcement of the sanctuary plan Sept. 8.
Anti-illegal-immigration activists, who are planning a rally in the city Saturday, say Inzunza's proposal to welcome undocumented immigrants is illegal.
Meanwhile, council members are upset that the mayor made the announcement on a news-radio program without consulting them.
Councilman Ron Morrison, who believes there is no need to designate National City as a sanctuary, said the response has been overwhelming.
“It's been taking over our lives,” Morrison said. “I have received more calls on this issue than any other issue in the 14 years I've been on the council.”
Establishing a sanctuary city means city funds will not be used to enforce federal immigration laws, which is already the case in National City. The city's policy is to accept matricula consular identification cards, and local police do not conduct immigration sweeps.
“I have heard the term 'tar and feather' more this week than I have in my entire life,” Morrison said. “This is not a National City issue, and it's going to turn National City into a battleground for all these outsiders.”
The city cannot be officially deemed a sanctuary city without a majority vote of the City Council, City Attorney George Eiser said. To date, Inzunza has not broached the subject with the council.
Police Chief Adolfo Gonzales said he is waiting for a legal opinion from the city attorney on what the mayor's declaration means to the Police Department.
“As far as I'm concerned, our policy doesn't change,” Gonzales said. “Our enforcement policy will continue to be what it has been. We're not going to racial-profile.”
If police make a traffic stop, they do not check immigration status, Gonzales said. But if it becomes obvious that people are smuggling illegal immigrants into the city, they will call the U.S. Border Patrol, he said.
The San Diego Minutemen are planning a rally at 11 a.m. Saturday at City Hall to protest Inzunza's idea, which has not been supported by any other member of the council.
“We think the vast majority of people in National City and San Diego County do not want this,” said Jeff Schwilk, who heads the San Diego Minutemen. “It's one thing to be neutral and not take a strong position, but to declare a sanctuary city – some people see it as declaring war and 'screw the American laws.' ”
Inzunza's proposal also drew objections from anti-illegal-immigrant groups outside the county, including Save Our State. On its Web site discussion board, readers urged others to fight the proposal before the idea takes hold.
Some didn't know where National City is. One comment came from a person whose screen name is “Retired” and who describes himself as a California native and disabled veteran who has a Latino wife.
“That politician should be hung like Muscolini (sic) was in WWII and the feds need to move in and clean the scum out. . . . This is insane. Cities making up their own immigration laws! Anyone who does not know, San Diego County is nothing but illegals and crime. . . . National City is just an extension of Mexico and TJ!”
Some, however, are supporting the sanctuary idea. Immigration activist Enrique Morones and others are planning a rally for Sept. 30 to encourage community members to back the proposal.
Morones said cities such as Vista and Escondido are adopting racist policies and that National City is the perfect place to send a message that they will not tolerate racism.
In Vista, day laborers cannot get work unless their employers register with the city. The employers must display certificates on their vehicles and provide workers with “term sheets” that document the rate of pay and type of work.
Escondido officials are creating a law that makes it illegal for landlords to rent to undocumented individuals, which could force families from their homes.
At Tuesday's council meeting, Morrison pleaded with activists to leave National City alone and said Inzunza's declaration was unnecessary and irresponsible.
“Our city has been doing very well,” he said. “Please take your fight somewhere else. If you have issues in Vista or Escondido, keep them there.”
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The National City Police Officers Association letter can be found online at www.uniontrib.com
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Tanya Sierra: (619) 498-6631; tanya.sierra@uniontrib.comSupport our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at http://eepurl.com/cktGTn
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09-21-2006, 12:07 PM #2
Awwwwwwwwww, poor Councilman Morrison is getting beat up because of the OBL Mayor. Y'all should all send him a nice letter.
National City is in the Focus Campaign area.
DixieJoin our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)
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09-21-2006, 12:11 PM #3Originally Posted by Dixie
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... c&p=214958Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at http://eepurl.com/cktGTn
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09-21-2006, 01:56 PM #4
It's about time the police told these wimpy politicans where to shove their PC nonsense.
Please support our fight against illegal immigration by joining ALIPAC's email alerts here https://eepurl.com/cktGTn
Laura Loomer - Woke up this morning to a @nytimes article...
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