Gallegly Proposal Prompts Charges of Racial Politicking

A new proposal by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) to crack down on illegal immigrants who live in public housing triggered charges by some Latino activists Friday that the congressman is playing racial politics.

Gallegly’s bill would require public housing agencies to annually inspect all federally funded dwellings to determine if illegal immigrants live in them or if illegal activity is occurring and to address such problems.

“Illegal aliens are not legally allowed to rent public housing,” Gallegly said in a prepared statement issued by his Washington office.

“These units are intended to provide shelter to our own poor and needy. Unfortunately, federal housing officials seem to lack a clear and coherent policy to ensure the law is followed, which is why my bill is necessary.”

But Marco Abarca, an attorney with the California Rural Legal Assistance, which provides legal counsel to immigrant farm workers, said Gallegly was simply trying to “whip up anti-immigrant” and “anti-Mexican” fear as part of his reelection campaign.

Gallegly is running against Anita Perez Ferguson in the 23rd Congressional District, which has been redrawn to include western Ventura County, where most of the county’s Latino population resides.

Neither Gallegly nor Perez Ferguson could be reached for comment Friday.

Abarca said Gallegly, who has proposed a constitutional amendment that would deny automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants, has rallied Latinos against him.

As a result, Abarca said the congressman is pushing the immigration issue to ensure that his predominantly white constituency in the east county turns out in large numbers at the polls in November.

“The only issue he seems to have is immigration,” Abarca said. “He knows the right buttons to push to whip up anti-immigrant fear. And he knows the politics of race are good politics.”

John Frith, a Gallegly spokesman in Washington, said the congressman’s bill has nothing to do with the upcoming election, but rather is another example of his commitment to stem illegal immigration.

“Politics is not the motivating factor,” Frith said. “Doing what he considers the right thing is the important factor. What he’s trying to do is protect extremely scarce public housing for legal citizens.”

Abarca said some public housing residents may have relatives living with them who are not documented but that those cases are relatively few.

“You may have an occasional relative here or there, but it’s not worth turning the Area Housing Authority into the INS,” he said.

Gallegly upset county officials earlier this week when he sent out a letter to his constituents stating that the county refuses to look into the extent of the illegal immigration problem here. Gallegly said he was frustrated that the county did not keep statistics on the flow of illegal immigrants to the region and their impact on the area’s economy.

James E. Isom, director of the county’s Public Social Services Agency, said he understands Gallegly’s concern that illegal immigrants may be receiving welfare payments but said he was “offended” by his letter.

Isom said his office checks all welfare recipients to ensure they are legal residents. He said those who come under suspicion are referred to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Still, Isom acknowledged that the system is not foolproof and that some people slip through the cracks.

“I understand his concern,” Isom said. “Everybody’s concerned. But we do what the law requires.”