Anaheim Takes No Action on Immigration Enforcement

The Anaheim City Council heard this week but took no action on a proposal to let the city seek immigration-code enforcement powers for its police officers so they can arrest suspected undocumented immigrants.

After hearing impassioned speeches by both sides, Mayor Tom Daly said the council will not consider the measure unless one of the other four panel members introduces it for debate.

“As far as I am concerned, the city should not be involved,” Daly said, eliciting both boos and cheers from the audience Tuesday night. “If any of you have a beef with immigration, you should deal with the Congress or the president of the United States. That is how this country is set up.”

Daly’s colleagues did not introduce the item for a council debate, but Councilman Frank Feldhaus said he thinks the issue needs further review.

“I don’t feel there is sufficient legal advice,” he said. “I want to keep the door open.”

Proponents of the controversial proposal vowed to continue their quest.

The California Coalition for Immigration Reform has begun a national grass-roots movement to lobby cities to consider similar measures, Chairwoman Barbara Coe said.

Under a provision in the 1996 immigration reform legislation, cities may ask the U.S. attorney general’s office for power to enforce federal immigration laws. Local police officers would have to be trained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, then could arrest people suspected of being in this country illegally.

“We are tired of declining home values, the overcrowding in our schools, and now we have an electricity shortage,” Anaheim resident Elaine Proko told the City Council. “Common sense tells us it is a simple issue of supply and demand. There is too much demand for our limited resources.”

Latino and civil rights leaders, including the American Civil Liberties Union, decried the proposal, saying the law would lead to harassment of minorities.

“We know firsthand that when such proposals become law, only racial minorities . . . are targeted for harassment.” said Nativo Lopez, co-director of Hermandad Mexicana Nacional.

“Shame on you who raise this proposal,” Lopez said. “No human is illegal.”