Religion in the Schools : The Impact of Illegal Aliens
Unfortunately, illegal aliens are overwhelming some of our parks and neighborhoods in Costa Mesa.
I greatly sympathize with the plight of these undocumented workers, however, since the new federal immigration law won’t take effect for a year, if ever, our City Council can and must do what is reasonable to protect our legal residents’ property rights and environment.
The council should not subsidize or encourage illegal aliens to live here by approving more dense rentals, which are an unhealthy 60% of our housing. There is sufficient data to warrant a strict housing code to limit occupancy as Santa Ana has belatedly done. Absentee slumlords should be penalized for exploitation and over-housing. Frequent, humane removals with proper legal cause should be conducted throughout the city. As a last resort, the council should impose sanctions on our businesses that hire the illegals.
Does Costa Mesa want to become a Santa Ana, with one-third of its population illegal? The problem is not the illegals per se but a constant lack of will by the council. Most important is an immediate need of an occupancy code and its firm enforcement.
CHRIS M. STEEL
Costa Mesa
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
