Thread: CA-Orange backs Arizona's immigration stance -

Orange backs Arizona's immigration stance - Becomes "Rule of Law" City

June 8, 2010
By ERIC CARPENTER
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ORANGE – The City Council voted 4-0 on Tuesday to back two resolutions supporting Arizona's hotly debated immigration-reform bill.

The council's decisions to declare Orange a "Rule of Law" city and officially support the U.S. residents and businesses of Arizona in their efforts to dramatically stem the flow of illegal immigrants followed two hours of impassioned but civil debate among public speakers.

In all, 22 speakers urged the council to pass the resolutions while 15 spoke out against it.

Supporters said it was necessary to show where Orange stands on an important national issue and to show overwhelming support for the people of Arizona, while opponents called the action offensive, divisive and a waste of time since the resolution will not change how Orange handles immigration issues.

"I would really like for our City Council to memorialize that we not only support the good folks of Arizona but that we also support that they are doing something about illegal immigration," said Councilman Jon Dumitru, who introduced the two measures partly because illegal immigration has greatly contributed to the city's budget deficit.

In Arizona, the law, when it takes effect in July, calls for law enforcement officers, when practicable, to ask a person's legal status when there is reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally.

Dumitru, whose father emigrated to the U.S. from the former Yugoslavia, said it is not an issue of race.

"I don't care about where you come from, I only care if you are here legally," he said. "Illegal immigration is a major slap in the face to all those who have waited to come here legally."

But taking such a stance gives the city a "black eye," said Yolanda Alvarez, who is Latina and was raised in Orange.

Other opponents said endorsing the resolutions could lead to infringement of civil rights and make Latinos less likely to cooperate with police.

In the end, three of Dumitru's colleagues agreed with his resolution. Councilwoman Teresa Smith abstained from the debate, citing possible conflicts of interest because her employer works directly with the federal government. She didn't elaborate on the potential conflict.

Orange joins other cities such as Costa Mesa and Yorba Linda in declaring a stance as a "Rule of Law" city.

Dumitru's said his second resolution was simply worded to express support for Arizona residents and businesses – and to stand in direct opposition to places like Los Angeles and San Francisco that have called for a boycott of Arizona.

"I am incredulous that any California cities would boycott Arizona for finally standing up and saying enough is enough," Mayor Carolyn Cavecche said.

Because places such as Los Angeles "stuck their nose in Arizona's business," she said, it opened the door for other cities to express their opinions, too.

Orange police already work in cooperation with federal immigration officers, so nothing practical will change locally, council members said.

"This simply memorializes exactly what we are already doing in this city," Dumitru said.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/news/arizona- ... -city.html

Know the city of Orange well. Thank you for standing up for our immigration laws.