FAIR could join Escondido to defend rental ban
By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | ∞
ESCONDIDO ---- One of the country's well-known immigration restrictionist groups said it is willing to help Escondido defend its controversial new rental law against an almost certain legal challenge.
Under the complaint-driven law, the city would require landlords to provide proof that tenants are in the country legally. The federal government would verify the tenants' immigration status. Only if the federal immigration officials say the documents are not valid will the city step in and require landlords to remove the tenants.
A spokesman with the Federation for American Immigration Reform, better known as FAIR, a Washington D.C.-based organization, said last week that they have spoken with Escondido city officials about joining a legal defense team. No agreement appears to have been formalized as of last week, spokesman Ira Mehlman said.
"I know it's been under discussion," Mehlman said. "I don't know if there's been a decision about that."
Several city officials said they did not know or could not confirm any possible affiliation with the federation. The City Council passed the ordinance by a 3-2 vote on Oct. 18 and the code is due to take effect Nov. 18.
Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler said she did not know about discussions with FAIR. Moreover, she said the city should be careful in choosing with whom it partners.
"I think the city needs to be very careful, because we have our own interests to defend," said Pfeiler, who voted against the ordinance. "If we voted for this, we have to defend it."
The mayor said city representatives are scheduled to meet with law firms on Wednesday in a process to decide who might represent Escondido in the event of a lawsuit.
Councilman Sam Abed said he has received many offers of volunteer services and to donate money for the defense of the rental law. But added: "We are still working on the basic defense strategy."
Escondido City Attorney Jeffrey Epp said attorneys with the federation helped draft the ordinance, which is based on a similar law approved in Hazleton, Pa. That city was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union, one of the groups threatening Escondido's rental ban, and is being defended in part by FAIR.
The federation was founded in 1978 and boasts of 250,000 members and supporters. The group "seeks to improve border security, to stop illegal immigration," and reduce legal immigration to "more traditional rates of about 300,000 a year," according to its Web site, http://www.fairus.org.
One of the group's most well-known local supporters is Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Escondido, who serves on FAIR's national board of advisers and worked as a lobbyist for the group before he was elected to represent the 50th Congressional District. In a phone interview last week, Bilbray said he was not aware of the group's involvement with the city and its new rental law.
"I personally wasn't involved in that. I've had no contact at all," Bilbray said. "I've been a little predisposed in the last few months."
Escondido is one of many cities that have drafted or adopted measures that limit illegal immigrant's access to housing and jobs. In July, a new law took effect in Vista that makes it a crime to hire day laborers off the street without first registering with the city.
The ACLU and the California Rural Legal Assistance, a labor rights group, filed a federal lawsuit against Vista, alleging that its law is unconstitutional.
Supporters of the Escondido law say that illegal immigrants are overcrowding city apartments. They say it is well within the city's authority to punish landlords who rent to people who are in the country illegally. Opponents say the federal government has exclusive power over immigration laws, and that the courts will strike down any attempts by local or state authorities to usurp that power.
Bilbray said the rental ban is a "cry for help" to the federal government, which has failed to protect the nation's borders. Others said the ordinance is an ill-conceived policy that will not address overcrowding, but will result in discrimination against Latinos, a community that includes some illegal immigrants, but also many legal residents and U.S. citizens.
"It is fear," said Bill Flores, a spokesman for the North County Latino rights umbrella group, El Grupo. "Fear that the population of this country is changing; that the demographics will mean a shift in power, which will be unlike what that segment of American society is used to."
Staff writer David Fried contributed to this report. Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.
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Robert wrote on Oct 28, 2006 11:43 PM:Imigration Speech Given By Ex-Gov Lamm, CO. Just Google "How To Destroy America"
FAIR? wrote on Oct 29, 2006 12:57 AM:Wasn't FAIR identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center?
Hate Groups wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:01 AM:FAIR worked closely with a hate group, the American Immigration Control Foundation (AICF), to pay signature-gatherers for the referendum. Together, they spent $305,500. A quick search on the Southern Povety Law Center's site has information on FAIR.
Lori needs to go! wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:21 AM:Bill Flores is right it is FEAR. They are changing our lifestyles. Our city is no longer a safe place to live. Our neighborhoods are filled with roving gangs of kids who have no supervision who tag our walls, steal our cars, and roam our streets. Send them back to where that behavior is acceptable. It isn't acceptable in Escondido.
Where is the lawsuit? wrote on Oct 29, 2006 6:11 AM:The ACLU and La Raza Lawyer's Association keep saying that they will sue, but a suit hasnot been filed. Maybe they are hoping that Carmen Miranda will win the election. Well, to the ACLU, how do you say REFERENDUM ? The Mount Soledad Cross is still standing, and the current actual invasion will be repelled. Why? Because most Americans are tired of Mexico's wothless and corrupt culture.
Offended wrote on Oct 29, 2006 6:15 AM:This American is offended, not afraid. The illegal aliens have become rude. They are no longer wanted as guests.
Thank you FAIR wrote on Oct 29, 2006 7:01 AM:We American CITIZENS welcome your help!
Todd wrote on Oct 29, 2006 7:45 AM:What are you saying Bill Flores? "It is fear"?!Fear of what?If your a productive legal citizen,respect the laws,what is there to be afraid of?Don't threaten me!!
La Raza IS Hate! wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:15 AM:Read the MeCHa constitution. Message: HATE GRINGOS! HATE GRINGROS! Funny, thing, Mecha is not on the Southern Poverty Law Center list of hate groups. Why? Because the Center is a group of liberal lawyers who use to the courts to shove hate down the throats of American under the guise of human rights. La Raza is evil. MeCHa is a organization founded on dangerous philosophies design to call La Raza to violence. Mexico could be a beautiful country but for the lame politics that believes that hating GRINGOS is a human right. Just read the Mexican Constitution.
UNFAIR wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:55 AM:"Wasn't the Southern Poverty Law Center identified as a hate group by FAIR? " Naw!! They don't do unfair things like that. Only subversive organizations do that.
Robert wrote on Oct 29, 2006 8:57 AM:The Southern Poverty Law Center is a Racists Group to the max. They are the same as the ACLU. I have had stories from my Anti-IllegalImmigration Website, twisted and distorted and then posted on the SPLC website. When these groups have no logical argument they try to shut down the conversation with name calling, and words like "xenophobia" and "racist". The topic of illegal immigration will not go away now and the American People are getting fed up.
Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Deportation wrote on Oct 29, 2006 9:02 AM:Stand strong Escondido and other cities will follow you. It is not easy being a leader, but others will thank you later. Round 'em up, ship 'em back, and send their governments the bill.
Gary in Murrieta wrote on Oct 29, 2006 9:05 AM:"Illegal Aliens" are not classified as a race. Just like Fox calling the border fence an embarrassment, the Activists and Open border crowd would have you believe that illegal Aliens are brown and Hispanic. Non of my Hispanic friends, co-workers, or neighbors, support illegal Immigration.
Hated wrote on Oct 29, 2006 9:12 AM:People dont know that we should love each other not to hate. we need each other to survive. GOD did not set borders to us. He gave this world to us HUMANS! not aliens.
Robert wrote on Oct 29, 2006 9:16 AM:Bravo Escondido and FAIR!!! .. all the local communities owe you and your residents a vote of thanks for taking the lead do demand legal entry to our country. Keep up the good fight, the future of our nation depends upon it!
To Hated wrote on Oct 29, 2006 9:23 AM:Did God give us drug dealers and terrorists also? One thing for sure, God gave us the rule of law. And I doubt God would condon such total disregard of our Nation's laws to mearly enter our borders legally and not crash the gates. You should be ashamed in attempting to use religion as a basis for breaking the law.
Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Deportation wrote on Oct 29, 2006 11:21 AM:To Hated: You are welcome to your religious beliefs but here in the US we have laws against illegal immigration which are designed to prevent taxpaying US citizens like me from footing the bill for illegal aliens who chose to leave their country in favor of mine. Please plead your case to the governments of Mexico and the other countries who encourage their least educated and least skilled to enter our country illegally, rely on the heath and educational benefits this country provides, unfortunately for free to many illegals, and then send back $20 Billion dollars a year back to the country which basically kicked them out in the first place. If Mexico and certain other countries did even a halfway decent job of providing for their own people, illegal invasion would not be the problem it is today. ...
Jack wrote on Oct 29, 2006 12:16 PM:Is FAIR trying to buy the election? They paid Bilbray to lobby. Nothing like DC dollars to help poor ol' Escondido. Why don't the minute men help out, after all it was their idea. Could it be there simply aren't enough of 'em? FAIR says they've got 250,000, but you don't see them lining up at the border or to help. You don't see 'em at all. This is just convenient election grandstanding.
Anotherview wrote on Oct 29, 2006 12:53 PM:The squabble over illegal aliens in the City of Escondido distracts from the efficient national resolution of the illegal immigration problem . The U. S. Congress, after all, could tame the general domestic unrest from illegal immigration by passing a law, with teeth, prohibiting employers from hiring illegal aliens, and by rejecting amnesty for illegal aliens. Without the prospect of either a job or an amnesty, the illegal aliens would tend to self-deport, and the foreign nationals would tend not to come here. Jobs would open for Americans. As well, the multitude of negative social, economic, and political impacts fostered by the presence of illegal aliens would moderate. The overcrowding of housing by illegal aliens in the City of Escondido, and elsewhere, would automatically decline if not disappear. The number of criminal illegal aliens would decline, too. The burden on local, state, and federal budgets from the presence of illegal aliens would ease. The national economy would prosper more without the yearly net drain of $50 billion for subsidizing illegal aliens. This debate continues. Contact your elected representatives to urge a national ban on hiring illegal aliens and a rejection of amnesty for illegal aliens. America can get along very well without illegal aliens.
Jimbo wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:16 PM:to Hated keep living in your fantasy world. I am a Catholic, and I don't believe Jesus ever said that we need to be suckers. La raza, MS-13...I can live without that. What you are suggesting, in theory is nice, but in practical life...won't work. Hence those funny looking lines drawn on maps of the world (borders). We have our culture, and DO NOT want invaders to threaten our way of life by pushing their culture upon us. We're just not interested..contrary to some liberals welcome mat views. I welcome those who respect our laws, customs, language, and aren't looking for a free hand-out. To Bill Flores and the like I say..what will you do once you've taken over, the hard working American tax payers leave, and there's no more welfare checks available?
Jimbo wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:23 PM:Since when is unconstitutional to not hire illegal aliens?
Get off the Fence, FAIR!! wrote on Oct 29, 2006 1:44 PM:So FAIR has a $9 million, non profit bankroll....put your money where your mouth is, FAIR. Pay taxes like the rest of us working stiffs. Then come to Escondido and pay the legal bills. This article is a puff piece, you're either in or you're out. Or is this just more free publicity for Bilbray.
AHHHHHHHHHH!! wrote on Oct 29, 2006 3:59 PM:It will not affect the legal residents of Escondido!! It will not affect the Legal Latinos of Escondido!! Stop playing the race card and further dividing the community. Lets look at the issue logically and without prejudice. Tell me something, how is this going to affect the legal residents of Escondido when I'm a Mexican-American. A few weeks ago I saw a young Latino with shirt that had a picture of Pancho Villa and the caption read "Your next Gringo!" what kind of message is that, we are quick to call Anglos racist but it's ok for Latinos to display hatred? Thats the message the latinos send and it makes me sick. You can find these shirts at the swapmeet. This is why Latino politicians don't get the support they need because they are full of ... . I'm sick of this! Thats my point of view.
Another to Hater wrote on Oct 29, 2006 5:09 PM:Before you start bringing God into it, remember that Joseph asked Pharoah's permission before bringing his family to Egypt.
"IT AIN'T RIGHT" wrote on Oct 29, 2006 7:16 PM:Why is it ok for Mexicans to stick together and display "brown pride" but when us Caucasians try to enforce laws or show pride we're racist???
Ruben wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:29 PM:Killing Women and children Indians was legal. Black slavery was legal. Japanese taken out of their homes WW2 legal. Breaking legal treaties with Indians legal. Blacks & other races besides whites not allowed to buy, eat, ride legal? Now were talking about another legal law but remember it's legal???
mike wrote on Oct 31, 2006 3:31 AM:Southern Poverty Law Center is as anti-American as it can get.One should not use Southern Poverty Law Center website for info on American organization's.Dig deeper for your info.
mike wrote on Oct 31, 2006 3:39 AM:Critical thought shortage quick fix for Americans that dont get it.White,brown,black,green are not tribal attributes for American's.We are red,white and blue.Anything different is just to divide us and destroy a good thing.
No outside assistance please wrote on Nov 1, 2006 9:57 PM:If the City of Escondido requests financial assistance to defend itself against those that seek to overturn the will of the (legal) people, finances will find their way to the city without the assistance of outside groups. If Hazelton and Escondido wanted to raise money, I believe that money would pour in from around the nation from individuals. There was a time when I respected the ACLU, now I believe that they have done themselves irreparable damage. It's always been American to support the underdog, but never the cheater. The ACLU is supporting the cheaters
Thanks to AHHHHHHHH! wrote on Nov 5, 2006 7:05 PM:I want to thank AHHHHHHHHH! (as a Mexican-American) for speaking out against illegal immigration, and more importantly, by broaching the false "racist" allegations being flung at those of us who just happen to be "Anglo." I grew up in Barstow, California, and 1 out of every 3 or 4 of my friends and neighbors had Hispanic surnames. I NEVER thought of them as Mexican-Americans or Hispanic-Americans. They were simply Americans--just like me. Those of you Americans (who just happen to have Hispanic surnames) quite honestly can do so much more than those of us who don't. So keep speaking out--loud and long. Encourage your friends. No one can shout, "Racist!" at you. By the way, only 65% of our illegals are Latino. Illegals come in all races, religions, and nationalities. Thanks AHHHHHH! for your point of view. It was right on and much appreciated.
Ruben wrote on Nov 11, 2006 10:57 AM:Does this illegal law matter, the hispanics voted 70% Democrat and now they're going to get Amnesty. Hey the American people spoke. Let your the Great Waldron, Abed, and Sam pass a law declaring Democrats not allowed to live in Escondido or rent!!
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