A Plea -- and Warning -- for Costa Mesa Businesses

Immigrant-rights advocates on Thursday urged Costa Mesa businesses to fight the city’s plan to use police to enforce immigration laws when arresting suspected felons and warned of a boycott if they didn’t.

They also urged residents to immediately stop cooperating with Costa Mesa police in crime investigations, and they announced plans for an April 1 protest at Costa Mesa City Hall.

Organizers said businesses needed to take a stand. “There is no neutrality where there is injustice,” said Nativo V. Lopez, an activist from neighboring Santa Ana. Lopez said he would tell business owners: “If I consume from your establishment ... I call upon you to stand with me when I become the target of a discriminatory, racist policy.”

Backers of the policy, led by Mayor Allan Mansoor, say it’s a crime-prevention effort to deal with illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes. But opponents say it has already frightened illegal and legal immigrants. Specifics of the policy are still being drafted, and it is not in effect.

The policy and the boycott threat drew a mixed response from Edgar Fawcett, president of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, which has 489 members.

Fawcett opposes a boycott. “I disagree with this approach to solving a problem,” he said. “It’s saying, ‘ ... ‘One guy did me dirty, so I’ll punish the little guy next to me.’ That’s inappropriate.”

But, he said, he doesn’t agree with Mansoor, and he called the policy “heavy-handed.”

Police Chief John D. Hensley couldn’t be reached for comment about the recommendation for noncooperation with police. But the mayor said such a strategy was a mistake. “I have concerns about what this means for public safety,” he said.

The announcement of the boycott and other plans were made by a coalition of six community organizations and two labor unions calling themselves Citizens for Constitutional Rights.

Its members include Los Amigos of Orange County, a civic organization; Lopez’s immigrant-rights group, Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana; the Service Employees International Union Local 1877; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299.

They have been alarmed since the Costa Mesa council voted 3 to 2 in December to ask U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to train 40 police. The request has not yet been forwarded to the federal government for consideration.

The training, supporters argue, would help the officers work better with federal agents to verify the immigration status of felony suspects. If a suspect were found to be an illegal immigrant, police would report that to federal officials, who could start deportation proceedings.

The mayor, also a sheriff’s deputy, conceived the idea of using local police to enforce immigration laws. The policy was molded by other council members to look more like a proposal already submitted to federal authorities by Sheriff Michael S. Carona.

The group of immigrant advocates, which is printing 10,000 posters, will ask businesses to place in their windows a sign that measures about 1 by 2 feet. It reads in red letters, “No Carona-Mansoor police Migra Plan.” The word “migra” refers to federal immigration authorities.

Latino activists argue that the policy would increase racial profiling and create distrust among immigrants, who would be reluctant to report crimes. And they fear it would become a model that would be accepted elsewhere. Already Garden Grove is considering a similar measure.

“We feel this will encourage discrimination, fear and harassment,” said Gilbert Avila, director of organizing for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 324.

The mayor said the activists should not oppose a measure that would help enforce the law and questioned why people from outside the city, including Lopez, an ousted Santa Ana school board member, were involved.

Several businesses contacted said they would not display the signs.

Randy Garell, owner of the Grant Boys outdoor activities supply store, said putting up a sign “is a no-win situation. You will make someone mad.... We just don’t put up political signs period, no matter who they are for.”

Restaurant owner Mirna Burciaga, a former City Council candidate, said she and other business owners were alarmed when they heard about the boycott and suggested it not be conducted until the business community had a chance to respond. That’s why the group decided to post the signs before boycotting, Lopez said.

“It’s not fair that our community is afraid because of what’s been proposed,” said Burciaga, who joined the Lopez coalition and will post the sign. “The business community needs to step up and say, ‘This is not just.’ ”