Law stops renting to illegal immigrants

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Quigley_Sharps, Oct 19, 2006.


  1. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    ESCONDIDO, Calif. - City leaders have approved an ordinance prohibiting landlords from renting to illegal immigrants, the latest in one of many efforts by local governments across the country to crack down on undocumented workers.



    More than 100 police officers and sheriff's deputies in riot gear were on hand for the 3-2 vote Wednesday. After the measure was approved, one person ran outside the council chamber and yelled, "The USA wins!" prompting opponents and supporters gathered on the lawn to shout at each other for 30 minutes. Police said no arrests were made.

    The American Civil Liberties Union has indicated it will go to court to block implementation of the ordinance, set to take effect Nov. 18.

    Councilman Sam Abed, who supported the measure, said it will improve the city's image and reputation, "and certainly our quality of life."

    Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler and Councilman Ron Newman, the two no votes, said the ordinance would create new problems for Escondido, a city 30 miles northwest of San Diego. Hispanics make up 42 percent of Escondido's 142,000 residents.

    Pfeiler said everyone agrees illegal immigration is a problem, but the ordinance "is going to have neighbor against neighbor."

    Under the law, landlords will be required to submit documentation of their tenants' immigration status to the city, which will then submit the information to the federal government for verification.

    If tenants are found to be illegal immigrants, landlords would be given 10 days to evict them or face suspension of their business license. Repeat offenders could face misdemeanor charges and fines.

    Recent national scrutiny of immigration policy has led to similar proposals around the nation.

    Earlier this year in Pennsylvania, the city of Hazleton passed legislation that would punish businesses that employ illegal immigrants and landlords who rent to them. The community of Riverhead on New York's Long Island passed a similar law in September.

    In San Bernardino, Calif., an attempt to present such a measure to voters was dismissed by the courts in June. And in Florida this summer, ordinances were voted down by city councils in Avon Park and Palm Bay.
     
  2. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    So let me get this straight. Instead of enforcing existing laws against illegal aliens, there are now new laws which puts that burden on the owners of rental property. Ummmm - let them come across our borders unchallenged then penalize landlords if they fail to catch the illegals. What a plan.

    Did any of the legislators consider that the legal costs of eviction proceedings are 3K to 5K dollars? Its entails a great deal more than simply going up to their door and telling them to leave - lawyers and courts are envolved. If the landlords called Immigration officials, the landlords would be subject to fines for renting to the illegals originally.

    This proposal is just one more case of "Let's get someone else to do our job, penalize them if they fail to do it to our liking, and if they are successful, we can take all the credit for solving the problem and win reelection so we can starting the same wheel turning all over again."
     
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