HUNTINGTON BEACH : Council Moves to Screen Aid Recipients

After Councilman Jim Silva decried “giving tax dollars to illegals,” the Huntington Beach City Council directed its staff to study possible guidelines for preventing tax-supported aid to undocumented immigrants.

The action came Monday night, as the City Council discussed its annual block-grant allocation of federal money earmarked for community-improvement groups. This year, the federal government gave Huntington Beach $1.6 million in community development funds.

The council allocated that money to 18 charitable agencies Monday night, following the recommendations of a citizens committee. But during the council debate, Silva asked how the groups were screened to make sure they are not giving U.S. tax money to undocumented immigrants. He was told that there is no official questioning of charitable organizations.

Silva responded that the city should have a policy of funneling tax dollars only to legal residents.

“We have a problem in Orange County,” said Silva, who is a candidate for county supervisor. “I really have a problem with money going for illegal purposes.” Silva said that tax dollars that are used to help undocumented immigrants tend to encourage more illegal immigration.

Councilman Victor Leipzig said, “I agree there is a problem.” Councilman Dave Sullivan added, “It’s time to deal with this problem of illegal aliens. It’s sapping our economy.”

Mayor Linda Moulton-Patterson, who also is a candidate for county supervisor this year, said she agreed that “illegal immigration is a problem . . . I’m tired of people saying you’re a racist if you try to address it.”

No one on the council spoke against the proposal that the city staff develop and bring back guidelines on keeping tax aid geared to legal U.S. residents. The staff was told to produce the report within the next two months.