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Simi asks Chertoff to intervene in illegal immigrant stalemate
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More from EnvironmentThe Simi Valley City Council is calling for the secretary of Homeland Security to personally end a stalemate between the city and a local church sheltering an illegal immigrant.
Mayor Paul Miller sent a letter Wednesday to Secretary Michael Chertoff detailing a conflict between the city and the United Church of Christ, which has been housing Liliana, an illegal immigrant whose most recent home was in Oxnard and who is wanted for deportation, and her U.S.-born son.
Miller said the city approached Homeland Security before, through the Washington office of Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley. Both Chertoff's department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement refused to be involved, the letter says.
Protesters have demonstrated outside the former parsonage where Liliana is staying, and, the mayor said, the city had to call in local law enforcement to maintain peace.
"Had the federal agencies acted in their official and delegated capacities, this could have all been avoided," the letter states.
The letter is accompanied by a statement from the City Council that says the current situation is "a debate borne of a broken system and a lack of expeditious due process and enforcement."
On Tuesday, the council met in closed session and unanimously agreed to send the letter to Chertoff. The previous day, Miller and City Manager Mike Sedell flew to Washington, D.C., and met with an official at the Department of Homeland Security to discuss the situation.
Since Liliana will not voluntarily leave the church, nor will the church ask her to leave, the only option left, the mayor writes, is "for the Department of Homeland Security to exercise their lawful responsibility, provide final adjudication of the individual's status and either allow her to stay or deport her."
The letter is the latest in a two-week dispute between city and church leaders after Miller sent the church a $40,000 bill for police services following the Sept. 16 demonstration that saw about 150 anti-illegal immigration protesters and counter-protesters screaming across the church's driveway.
Last week the $39,307 bill was put on hold, pending further discussion. The city will not pursue the action legally, at the advice of legal counsel, officials said.
Liliana, 29, has lived at the church just over a month and is part of a national New Sanctuary Movement aimed at keeping families of illegal immigrants together. Her husband and three children are legal citizens.
Although Miller said he doesn't want to be the face of a broader immigration debate, the issue has brought a spotlight on the city.
Several days after the mayor resolved to send the bill, two legal organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, called for an immediate withdrawal of the bill, saying it was unconstitutional.
The church remains firm in its resolve to keep Liliana at the parsonage, while the city continues to believe the church should take responsibility for the money and law enforcement time spent on what was a "direct result of their actions" after announcing they were sheltering Liliana.
The church did not return a call for comment regarding the letter.
Posted by heregoes on October 4, 2007 at 5:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CarlosGonzalos-
You said it yourself - she commited a crime, though you put it as a "victimless crime".
I beg to differ, as I myself am a victim of her crime. I am being hurt financially by having to pay taxes for all the benefits paid to her (and other illegal immigrants) while she is here, our hospitals are being closed due to non-payment, our education system is overwhelmed with ESL students, etc.
Victimless Crime? Are you serious?
Every American citizen is a victim.
She did a crime and she should be punished.
Posted by cutter on October 4, 2007 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really think Homeland Security is the wrong way to go. What can they do?
I might suggest that since this is a church it probably is tax exempt so I might suggest the Internal Revenue Service look at the church and their tax exempt status. It was done in the 80's with great success.
Now to Mr. Gonzalez and his "victimless" crimes. Prostitution is a "victimless" crime but none the less a violation of the law.
By virtue of the last name of Mr. Gonzales I would suspect his opinions would be a little slanted.
I just don't understand why people just can't understand the English language and the definition of illegal
Posted by jay3777 on October 4, 2007 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys talk about how much we pay from our taxes to help out illegals being here. How much of taxes per paycheck go to these people? $1.00? $5.00? And the rest funds the war in Iraq. Hmmmmm, think about it. Another point I want to make is this: I am White and I am yet to see one white person working in the fields out here. Until I see white people like myself working in the Onion or Strawberry fields out here, we have room to talk. There is no way I will do this job. But if you all want facts, illegals pay over a billion dollars in sales tax a year. Yes, over a billion and it is a proven fact. When they shop at Wal-Mart or Target, they have to pay sales taxes. Plus every time I have been to Wal-Mart, I conserve and only buy a few items, yet, I see these people baskets full to the max. So, they are pushing the American economy along. But let me ask everyone the real question here! Are we affraid that hispanics will out number us in the future? Is that the true debate? if so, then is about race not legal status.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on October 4, 2007 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Church brought this all down on themselves by advertising they were harboring here. They should have just shut up if they didn't want the attention they are now getting........ You do not go to a newspaper and advertise you are committing a crime !!!! I do feel for this young lady. I wish her the best. But most of all I wish she would have applied for her citizenship when she married a legal citizen! But she didn't. Then was deported and again committed another crime of re-entering. At which time she now became no longer able to apply.
Posted by keepermel on October 4, 2007 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jay3777........did it ever acure to you that maybe they are filling their carts at Walmart because they are on so much assistance and handouts that they have ALL the money they earn to spend as they please instead on the regular rent and health care that most of us HAVE to spend our money on. And it is NOT a race issue....there is no minority if we are all Americans.....LEGAL Americans. Americans come from all over the world....that is why we have so many different cultures to our benefit......but everyone should come here legally and become AMERICAN.......no hyfinated anything. AMERICAN!!!
Posted by bill on October 4, 2007 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jay3777...I don't have the figures but many studies have been made and reports published showing the cost of illegal immigration, it is much higher than your silly $1.00 or $5.00 (although that is too much for me). If the illegals were not here you would see white people in the fields as the pay would skyrocket. It's "supply and demand". Where do you get the billion dollar sales tax figure? Sounds like you pulled this out of the air. Your Wal-Mart story is so silly it doesn't even deserve a response. The American economy will do just fine without illegals, in fact the legal citizens will be much better off. The bottom line is most illegals are at the bottom of the social-economic scale and they are dragging down the standard of living for all Americans. Those legal citizens most hurt by illegals are the poor as there is more competition for the low paying jobs, social services, low-cost housing, etc. So the arguement is not race related as you supporters always want to make it but rather the standard of living of the legal citizen.
Posted by toyota1 on October 4, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Right on Sawyerfamily. I know just how you feel, they should arrest the priest and send him back with her and the kid...bet he would change his tune real quick...
Posted by jay3777 on October 4, 2007 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
keepermel, its funny how many people don't think like you. Our country has long history or racial violence. The Native Americans getting wiped out, KKK, hate crimes because of people's color, Jena 6, Skinheads, and the list goes on. I think it is sad for you to say that everyone here illegally gets assistance and handouts, what a typical sterotype. Yes, we are all Americans here (the one's legal and born here), but why are we the most hated country in the world (today), even our own allies hate us. It is because we sit here and wine, wine, and wine some more. Sad days in our country. But at least the illegals are getting rounded up and getting sent back instead if getting shot in the back like the Native American Indians.
Posted by jay3777 on October 4, 2007 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bill..... what race do you want to pick on next? It is a proven fact that illegals pay billions (yes!!), billions of dollars in sales tax. I love your sterotypes. But back tot he question, what race will we pick on next? We picked on the Native American Indians, then the Blacks, then the Arabs, and now the Hispanics. We are running out of races to pick on, oh wait, Asians, watch out, your next. Your Panda Express gave me a stomach ache, watch out (that was a sterotype, just keeping up with the ones on this blog).
Posted by keepermel on October 4, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JAY3777......You are right about our terrible history of violence towards different races. All of that is true........I would hope that a comeback to that would be that we have come a long way, and it is no longer socially acceptable to burn crosses, scalp indians, and take fire hoses to people in the street. I feel we are making advances. Yes there is still racism. I do not argue that fact. But do you argue that Laws are not Laws.........We are hated around the world for ALOT of reasons....yet everyone wants to come here to make a life. We can't be that bad if we are the destination for so many. You are right to point out that not all illegals are on assistance like welfare.....but what about education...your in our shools......that is assistance of some kind. We put everything in your languages (yes more than spanish) that is assistance. We let you break the laws and get away with it....that is assistance. Getting medical taken care of while I have to prove my insurance before even getting looked at.....that is assistance. Yes all illegals get assistance.
Posted by RelaxPeople on October 4, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
*yawn*
Posted by Jacksprat on October 4, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The illegals pay as little as possible of any tax, they don't pay income tax, they may pay sales tax, but most of the money they make is sent back home to Mexico or where ever. The economy in Mexico depends upon the money sent back there by the illegals. They are not here to support this country but to help Mexico.
This church is doing a diservice. I think maybe the IRS route might just change their mine. It is 80 people against the city.
Posted by Jacksprat on October 4, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I forgot in my comment asking home security for help, ask the poeple in New Orleans about the help they gave them. They are a joke. Now they are running a big fire drill wasting money.
Posted by Face on October 4, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Clinton and Reno took Cuban born Elian Gonzales right out of his home out of his parents arms at gun point and returned him to Cuba. Why can we not walk in and get this illegal and deport her?
Posted by MRCLEAN on October 4, 2007 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If ICE does not act the City should send any further bills directly to the Federal Government!
Posted by bugmenot on October 4, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HOLY SMOKE. YOU MEAN WE DON'T HAVE TO IMPEDE ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THIS?
Posted by gayala70 on October 4, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jaye3777 - yes, they pay taxes for the goods that they purchase just like any one else a great deal or those purchases are done with welfare. No, I would not work in the fields as they do, but not all of them are illegals working in the fields. I know they are also taking the field jobs from the people that are here legally. Also how many billions are we spending on welfare, health care, education and over crowding of schools by kids that do even give a crap and that the teachers can't even control their bad A@# kids because they are undisaplined at home. I think they need to put up this fight in their own backyard and then just maybe things there would slowly start to change. They spit in the faces of the Americans by flying their flags here etc. They are ungrateful and feel that they are owed everything. No, they are not owed any thing.
Posted by george1234 on October 4, 2007 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know about the rest of you, but I dont have a problem paying $20 for an onion or lemon. Illegal immigration is not a "Victimless crime". How many hospitals and schools need to close before we figure it out. An then for the moron who claims the war is taking all the money. Be real with yourself, The illegals are killing our country and we will let it happen. When California is identical to Mexico dont start crying for change because it will be to late...if it is not to late already. Go to Mexico, skip school, and burn a Mexican flag in the heart of Mexico City. See what happens then. Choke yourself private!
Posted by InaHurry on October 4, 2007 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you george1234.
Posted by 805grl on October 4, 2007 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are no, 'victimless crimes'. Any action that affects another in a harmful manner, ie. illegal immigration, etc is not victimless. I am harmed by her trespassing and others like her-from where ever they come from. I am a victim of her criminal activity, so are my children. A crime is a crime.
Posted by RelaxPeople on October 4, 2007 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
she never hurt me.
Posted by shaver_one on October 4, 2007 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Elian Gonzales was taken out of his distant cousin's home...not his parents. His father was in Cuba at the time and wanted his son returned. His mother was dead.
If you're going to quote a 'fact', better get the facts straight.
The church deserves to have its 'tax-exempt status' revoked.
All churches should have their 'tax-exempt status' revoked. Let them pay income and property taxes like every other business in this country.
And, please remember: Being anti-illegal immigration does not make you anti-immigration...just like being anti-Bush does not make you anti-American.
Posted by I_Hunt_Heads on October 4, 2007 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just out of curiousity, why isn't she on her way to becoming a citizen? If her husband is a citizen, shouldn't she be eligible for a green card? Is there something I am missing?
I keep seeing this same article debated again and again, and every time, I wonder - why can't she get a green card/visa?
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