Undocumented Immigrants Appointed To City Commissions in California

[Robby999 1,024]

HUNTINGTON PARK (CBSLA.com) — Huntington Park is making history and not everyone is happy about it.

Councilman Jhonny Pineda announced at Monday night’s city council meeting the appointment of two undocumented immigrants as commissioners, CBS2/KCAL9’s Kara Finnstrom reports.

“You are out of order!” one woman in the crowd yelled at the councilmembers during the meeting.

Some critics say Pineda, who joined the council in March, specifically picked Medina and Zatarain because they worked on his campaign. Others say they don’t believe undocumented immigrants should serve the government this way.

“We’re sending the wrong message: you can be illegal and you can come and work for the city,” a woman told Finnstrom.

Pineda stresses that the two appointees would not be paid – federal law prohibits that – and that they will have no power to determine city policy.

Frank Medina will join the health and education commission and Julian Zatarain will be working with the parks and recreation commission. Both are young men who Pineda says have a long history of volunteering for the city and the undocumented community.

The 32-year-old councilman says he picked these two men, first and foremost, for their accomplishments and because he promised voters on the campaign trail he’d create opportunities for the city’s sizable undocumented immigrant demographic.

“We need to make sure that we bring everyone together to the table here in Huntington Park so that we can make sure we’re sharing the same vision,” said Pineda.

City Mayor Karina Macias threw her support behind the appointments.

The appointments won’t be official until processed by the council and Medina and Zatarain pass a Live Scan background check.

Pineda says the move is historic, and would make Huntington Park the first city to have undocumented immigrants on city commissions.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/08/04/tempers-flare-when-huntington-park-appoints-2-undocumented-immigrants-to-city-commissions/

Edited August 7, 2015 by Robby999

[VOL 425]

A.) Why isn't ICE picking them up if they are known Illegals and they know where they are going to be....

Last I knew it was a Federal Crime to enter the USA illegally.....

[Neonred 3,666]

How many times have I read here on VJ where someone that entered legally on a K-1 was asking if they could volunteer or work for free until their EAD arrives, and they have been told not to do it as it would be seen as working illegally and taking away jobs from legal residents.

Of course this councilman is above the law.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Neonred

[khwaidee1 196]

They have to pass a criminal background check first. That is just so ironic as since they are "undocumented" that means they entered the US "without inspection" which means that they violated a Federal Statute (read broke the law). But, since they have not been "convicted" by the BIA court it won't show up. It's getting to the point in California where our immigration laws don't mean squat. Pretty soon I reckon our Governor Moonbeam will allow them to vote in state elections. With so many "sanctuary" cities nothing much to worry about for them.

[khwaidee1 196]

[Darnell 8,479]

wait - why is there an 'undocumented community' there?

[Rob L 3,811]

How many times have I read here on VJ where someone that entered legally on a K-1 was asking if they could volunteer or work for free until their EAD arrives, and they have been told not to do it as it would be seen as working illegally and taking away jobs from legal residents.

Of course this councilman is above the law.

How many times have I read advice on VJ that is detached from legal, ethical, moral and practical reality...I would say about 33% of the time.

There is no law against volunteering.