McKeon: Kellar should offer an apology

[Ole Glory]

City lacks power to regulate illegal immigrants

Courts have struck down attempts by local governments to handle illegals

By Jonathan Randles
Signal Staff Writer
jrandles@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x519
Posted: Feb. 6, 2010 10:17 p.m.
POSTED Feb. 7, 2010 9 a.m.

Since the early 1990s, Santa Clarita officials have considered plans to address day laborers in the city, but the city can't do much to address the problem because issues related to illegal immigration are handled by the federal government, city officials said.

In 1996 the Santa Clarita City Council adopted an ordinance that attempted to regulate day laborers in the city, said Mike Murphy, the city's intergovernmental relations officer.

"(The ordinance) prohibited individuals from soliciting employment while standing in the public right of way," Murphy said. "It also prohibited an occupant of any vehicle from soliciting any person standing in the public right of way."

Santa Clarita adopted the ordinance from Los Angeles County and other cities in Southern California with similar laws, Murphy said.

Federal courts determined the county's ordinance violated citizens' First Amendment rights, Murphy said.

As a result, the ordinance is not used by Santa Clarita, he said.

Murphy said he searched three years worth of e-mails, and letters sent to the city to see if there had been complaints about day laborers in the city. In that time there had been a "handful of complaints," he said.

Not all day laborers are here illegally, Murphy said. And even for those workers who are, illegal immigration is not an issue for the city, but for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he said.

"The issue of day laborers across the whole history of the city has been about trying to get our arms around it," Murphy said. "Federal law is very clear, the authority for immigration law is with the federal government and not local municipalities."

Santa Clarita staff examined the day labor issue in addressed in 2005 after Councilman Bob Kellar "expressed concern regarding the day laborer situation in the city," according to a council report from January 2005.

Murphy said the city has no estimates on the number of day laborers in Santa Clarita - the number is in constant flux, he said.

His best estimate for the number of illegal immigrants in the city is about 4 percent of the population - or about 7,000.

That is a rough estimate based on national trends, Murphy said.

At the City Council meeting on Jan. 26, a large crowd showed up, mostly to offer support for Kellar who days earlier delivered an inflammatory speech at a rally protesting illegal immigration.

City Council candidate David Gauny told the council to take a stand on illegal immigration before April's council election.

Council candidate TimBen Boydston said he would support the creation of a citizens' task force that could make recommendations to Council members on how Santa Clarita can address local issues related to illegal immigration.

Murphy said occasionally the city will get calls from people asking what the city does to address illegal immigration in the city.

The answer is usually that Santa Clarita's "hands are tied," he said.

[MowMyOwn]

Originally Posted by Ole Glory

The answer is usually that Santa Clarita's "hands are tied," he said.

They're getting it done at the county level elsewhere, they can do it here as well.

Federal agents training local cops.
See video -

http://www.saveourstate.info/showpos...28&postcount=1

[Jeanfromfillmore]

Email I just received:
Fellow MM patriots:

Santa Clarita City Council Bob Kellar was absolutely magnificent tonight at the Council meeting.

In his remarks to the audience at the end of the public comments sector, Kellar did NOT back down to the outside agitators, defended the Minutemen Movement that has galvanized thousands of Santa Claritans and millions across our great Land.

Outsiders meddling in the business of Santa Clarita from Los Angles came up threatening lawsuits at al. if Bob did not apologize for his remarks he made as a private citizens, Ja unary 16, 2010, at a Save Our State / Antelope Valley ? Santa Clarita Valley Independent Minuteman rally/ The purpose of that rally was to bring to the public's attention the devastating effects illegal immigration has wrought on our community.

The outsiders were exactly that.. outsiders who wish to export their sanctuary city agenda to our community. No law suit will intimidate Santa Clarita. I am cautiously feeling optimistic the four remaining Council members are starting to realize their position of running for cover on the issue of illegal immigration is untenable, and I am hopeful the Council will place the issue on the agenda. No bullying tactics from the A C L U should deter SAnta Clarita from doing the right thing. Enforce the rule of law.

Kellar-endorsed candidate David Gauny was similarly outstanding in articulating the MM are NOT racist vigilantes as demonized by the Left but are law-abiding citizens of our community who seek a solution to the sobering impact of illegal immigration.

Again, thank you Bob Kellar for your courageous stand these past three weeks. We are with you and support you in every possible manner.


Patriots:

Wednesday, February 17, come here City Council candidates in Center point ( George Caravahlo Recreation Center) , at the Candidates Forum of the Canyon Country Advisory Council, 7pm-9pm,

A Save our State / Santa Clarita Valley Independent MM rally will be held Saturday, February 27, in Valencia. Subject: The dark side of illegal immigration: CRIME. Illegal aliens are not all here to work. I urge you all to attend, and please let your friends and neighbors know. More details on time / location later.

I am continuing to expand my e mail list. Please let me know if you wish to be deleted from further e mails. Also, please forward to any and all of your e mail contacts, and have them contact me to add their e mail address. ALL E MAIL COMMUNICATIONS ARE SENT BLIND CC. Your privacy is protected.

Thank you all and God Bless America.

Roger Gitlin
SCVIMM