FWD Escondido ordinance

More on the anti-immigrant sentiment...

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From: ceci wheeler <nohairspraytkx@mutualaid.org>
Reply-To: <IssuesFirst@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 20:12:41 -0000 (GMT)
To: "women4immigrantrights@lists.riseup.net"
<women4immigrantrights@lists.riseup.net>
Subject: [women4immigrantrights] FWD Escondido ordinance

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Lawmakers in the southern California city of Escondido approved an
ordinance Wednesday that will prohibit landlords from renting their
properties to illegal immigrants. The measure requires landlords to submit
documentation to city authorities to prove their tenants' immigration
status. If found in violation, landlords could face suspension of their
business licenses and fines. Opponents called the new ordinance racist and
said immigration enforcement should be handled by the federal government,
not local governments. The ordinance takes effect Nov. 18, but opponents
said they plan to challenge the law in court before city officials begin
enforcement.

Escondido's ordinance follows passage of similar local immigration
enforcement laws in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The City Council of
Hazelton, Pennsylvania gave tentative approval to revisions to its
controversial Illegal Immigration Relief Act in September in an attempt to
survive legal challenges. The Hazelton law, as original passed, punishes
landlords and employers that lease property to or employ illegal
immigrants, with or without knowledge of their illegal status, but the
revisions would shift burdens originally placed on businesses, making it
the city's responsibility to determine immigration statuses. The Council
will vote Tuesday on whether to give the revised law final approval.
Reuters has more. The San Diego Union-Tribune has local coverage.

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