City Defers Talks on Fund Policy

The Costa Mesa City Council on Monday postponed discussion of a proposed city policy to deny city funds to groups that serve illegal immigrants, pending the outcome of a meeting between federal and local officials this week,

Mayor Peter F. Buffa and City Manager Allan L. Roeder are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp to talk about the city’s controversial policy with representatives of national immigrant rights groups.

Last August, the City Council voted to withhold money from any organization that assists illegal immigrants, except those providing medical aid. However, the City Council later voted to suspend the controversial policy when federal authorities questioned it.