Published: May 28, 2010
Updated: May 29, 2010 2:03 p.m.

Yorba Linda to vote on Arizona law

By JESSICA TERRELL
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

YORBA LINDA – Yorba Linda could become the first city in Orange County to pass a resolution in support of Arizona's controversial immigration law on Tuesday, when Mayor John Anderson is asking the City Council to take up the issue.

"The impact of illegal immigration is on all of us," Anderson said, adding that illegal immigration has a domino effect from the state level all the way down to individual cities.


Yorba Linda Mayor John Anderson is proposing that the council issue a statement of support for Arizona's immigration law, AB 1070. The City Council meets at 6:30 Tuesday in the Council Chambers, 4845 Casa Loma Ave.
JESSICA TERRELL, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Arizona law Requires police enforcing any other law to question people about their immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the people are in the country illegally.

Makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally.

Makes it a crime to transport illegal immigrants and to hire day laborers off the street.

Council members Nancy Rikel and Mark Schwing said they would likely vote in favor of a resolution to support the Arizona law, giving Anderson a possible council majority.

Arizona's tough immigration law has been a source of national controversy since it was signed into law at the end of April.

Councilwoman Jan Horton said she's not sure how she would vote, but she expressed concern that the law was not city business.

"I think that as individuals we all make a choice to support or not support Arizona," Horton said. "I question if it's the City Council's purview to take a stance on this."

Anderson said he wasn't sure that it was Yorba Linda's business to support the immigration law, but once other cities in California started passing resolutions in opposition of the law, it became Yorba Linda's business.

"Cities that believe in the rule of the law also need to stand up," Anderson said. "Otherwise it's not fair and balanced."

Santa Ana was the first city in the Orange County to tackle Arizona's law. The Santa Ana City Council condemned the immigration law, voting to send a resolution of opposition to Congress, the White House and Arizona's governor.

An effort by Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly to pass a resolution in support of the law failed in a 4-1 council vote earlier this week.

The city of Costa Mesa declared that illegal immigrants weren't welcome in the city earlier in the month when the City Council declared Costa Mesa a "Rule of Law" city. However, Mayor Allan Mansoor said that the action had nothing to do with Arizona's immigration law.

Horton said she wanted to be clear that she supported immigration reform and wanted the government to reexamine border security and rethink the social services that the U.S. provides to illegal immigrants. However, Horton said she didn't think illegal immigration is as big of a problem in Yorba Linda as it is in other communities.

"When we spend time on issues like this it takes time away from us working on actual city issues," Horton said.

Rikel said she would vote yes.

"I believe we are all touched by the immigration issue and it's time for the states, communities, and citizens to insist that the federal government uphold all the laws of the U.S.," Rikel said. "I also believe it is important for those who support the actions, to stand up and be heard. That includes city government."

Schwing said he was concerned about border security leaving the U.S. vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and would likely vote yes to support the Arizona law.

Councilman Jim Winder could not be reached for comment.

The details of Anderson's resolution haven't been released yet, but Anderson said it will be something that voices support for Arizona and urges the federal government to enforce the law.

"I don't want it to be controversial if it doesn't have to be," Anderson said. "I want to find something that everyone can get behind."

The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 4845 Casa Loma Ave. Anderson said he will welcome public comment.

"I think everybody should care about this problem," Anderson said.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/law-2510 ... izona.html