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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 1991 0904 CC REG ITEM 11CMOORPARK 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark California 93021 M E M O R A N D U M ITEM 411. (f. (805) 529 -6864 r.RK, CALIFORNIA ,y Co II a._ of _. ACTION: TO: Honorable City Council n FROM: Mary R. Lindley, Assistant to the City Manager DATE: August 29, 1991 (Foz° CC Meeting 9/4) SUBJECT: Immigration and Naturalization Service Activity to Resolve Day Labor Problem in Agoura Hills as Proposed by Congressman Gallegly. Discussion At Councilmember Perez Is request, staff obtained a copy of the attached press release from Congressman Elton Gallegly' office and has placed this item on the Council agenda for discussion. On August 29, Senator Gallegly unveiled his plan to resolve the problem of day labor sites. In his press release, Gallegly revealed that a task force of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) agents will target several areas in the 21st District, with initial emphasis or the Agoura Hills area. The agents will target both undocumented workers and those who employ them. Workers who are in the Un €ted States illegally will be apprehended and deported. Gallegley states that reports from merchants and city officials were the impetus that led to the development of this program. Recommendation Direct staff as deemed appropriate attachment PAUL W. LAWRASON JR BERNARDO M PEREZ SCOTT MONTGc �MEHY ROY E "ALLEY JR JOHN E. WOZNIAK Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmeml,er Councwmember Councilmember :AWN i From the Office of 'm`�'�"` °'"S NKSNINQION, oc zos,s C =) 225 -SMI Congressman 9J010M MALE AVENUE MCI c,+Aib1+'OR'r H, CA QM Elton Gallegly (fiSI J•,. 200 NO HQ 3AN0 OAY SCALE V•a0 app, TNOV9AH0 4"A G OiJb2 �B6-t 700 FOR Ir9MEUTATE RELEAS,: August 21r, 1991 CONTACT: John Frith (202) 225 -5811 GALLEGLY, TNS UN,',Ir. vEw ;' LEGAL ALIEN TASK FORCE AGOURA HILLS -- F;ek Llton Gallegly, R -Simi Valleys, today unveiled a new and it,rzovr;ive program to resolve il the problem of legal aliens seeking da; work in Agoura Hills and other corcununit_cs in the J_lst strLrt At a press conferer, e a•- one of the region's busiest day laborer congregation poxr :s, Sall -.Jly and Robert M. MOSChorak, District Director of tare :I,u,liyrati :,n and Naturalization, Service, _ said that an INS task fOl :e wtll e; :ion be in the field _ both the illegal t aliens d t.ie> hcrreowners and small Contractors to seek ou - - who routinely hire thl�n "Beginning ask fore � of INS agents will 'target several areas of the 21st Disr_rict where this problem is the most prevalent, with the irtitrtl cmphas,s Gallegly on the Agoura Hills area," said. "In a twc pronged :strategy, the agents will 2. target both the undoceunetr ed workea and the people who.employ them in violation of Peder ai ;.nunigration laws." C- _ Gallegly, who was ined by r' +goura Hills Mayor Louise Rishoff, Lt. Jim pre son f` the Loa. Angeles County Sheriff's Department, amd affe :tell er :1, <rrts continue aid that agents Will nue to apprehend �I: de <,, ca documented aliens. "Although I syrnpa _t, ce 4?ith rnyone's sincere desire to obtain work, I sympat,hi.:c nos"E wits the residents and; merch.,nts Of Agoura who have beer. vccsely affected economically an" personally by some of tIC l,y lal::orers," Gallegly of the merchants reps at tt,frir sales have been cLitlan nSome because of the uc , fre , c „ ,. , q t l "" large:. number-, of ,day laborers ` loitering near their In addition, flow, 7 c,yc,rts "l.l also investigate the People who employ t).,,: w :;kert such as homeowners and small contractors. Should crnployez> be found to have hired illegal aliens who arc — igiblc to work in the United States, employer sanctions pr `,i i.14, ,.gill be strictly enforced. "By targeting erne, °r; "f s a <; well as the illegal ;aliens, are hope to cause these hctnc ,c: and col ractors to think twice. nv " "king the risks tcc, t h we b :, L; . e employment!oppertunities Will dry up, causing t),, y )aka, to stop congregating in gouza Hit 1:: and el cs -i e xs now a Gallegly prnbl em, '1 "And by having I;• areas eas frequently wit su£ficicna man),o, c:r t:. ;, „Ir , o� the problem, we hope to break up these :rnprcmptu jotr,.r�nr -]y " d ;. September 1991 The Honorable Paul Lawrason Mayor, City of Moorpark 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark C ifornia 93023 In Dear Ma tiAll rason: In light of comments made by members of the City Council and others in the wake of the new INS day laborer strategy being launched in Agoura Hills, I would like to set the record straight. Because of a prior commitment, I am unfortunately unable to personally attend tomorrow's Council meeting, but would ask that this letter be publicly rc-ad at the hearing. To begin with, I would like to assure the Council that I am not proposing that INS target the situation in Moorpark without the City's request. officials in Agoura Hills are seeking to deal with a very real problem in a fair and sensitive manner and have requested help, which I have been i.)leased to provide. As a former Mayor myself, however, I have always been, and continue to be, a strong supporter of local determination. The Council and the residents of Moorpark should determine if day laborers pose a significant probleri to Moorpark, and if so, what actions should be taken. I am saddened, however, that emotionalism and the Spector of racism has been injected into the egitimate debate over the day laborer problem and the enforcement_ of existing immigration laws. As Members of the Council must know, the 1986 Immigration Reform Act was designed to curb further illegal immigration into our country. one provision requires employers to ensure that their employees are American citizens or legal residents. As the new INS policy merely reiterates ghat provision, I fail to see how this could be construed as a hate campaign or racist. Indeed, it could be argued that by shifting the primary focus away from the day laborers that. TN pursuing a strategy of fairness and race -blind equality, Mayor Rishoff of Agoura Hills commented recently that this new policy is just one piece of a complex solution to a real problem, RECEIVED 1991 Citv of Moorpark j f ELTON GALLEGLY COMMITTEES 21sT DISTRICT cal IEO RNIA FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEFS 107 CANNON BUILDING ARMS CONTNOL INIERNATIONAL SECURITY AND SCIEW E WASHINGTON. DC 20515 Coligl � *tatr5 OPERATIONS (202) 275 -5811 r�� of the litrb 9301 OAKDALE AVENUE # 1 10 INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS IORA D IN R AF C HATSWORTH CA 91311 gouge oftepre�entatiUe� SUBCOMMITTEES 181 B) 34 1 -2 121 NAIIO NAI PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS 200 NORTH WESTLAKE BOULEVARD 11207 ,�fkyi ^/ y�� z�`I N' IIAAR AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS THOUSAND OAKS CA 91362 agfjington, yW� � (805) 496 -4700 September 1991 The Honorable Paul Lawrason Mayor, City of Moorpark 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark C ifornia 93023 In Dear Ma tiAll rason: In light of comments made by members of the City Council and others in the wake of the new INS day laborer strategy being launched in Agoura Hills, I would like to set the record straight. Because of a prior commitment, I am unfortunately unable to personally attend tomorrow's Council meeting, but would ask that this letter be publicly rc-ad at the hearing. To begin with, I would like to assure the Council that I am not proposing that INS target the situation in Moorpark without the City's request. officials in Agoura Hills are seeking to deal with a very real problem in a fair and sensitive manner and have requested help, which I have been i.)leased to provide. As a former Mayor myself, however, I have always been, and continue to be, a strong supporter of local determination. The Council and the residents of Moorpark should determine if day laborers pose a significant probleri to Moorpark, and if so, what actions should be taken. I am saddened, however, that emotionalism and the Spector of racism has been injected into the egitimate debate over the day laborer problem and the enforcement_ of existing immigration laws. As Members of the Council must know, the 1986 Immigration Reform Act was designed to curb further illegal immigration into our country. one provision requires employers to ensure that their employees are American citizens or legal residents. As the new INS policy merely reiterates ghat provision, I fail to see how this could be construed as a hate campaign or racist. Indeed, it could be argued that by shifting the primary focus away from the day laborers that. TN pursuing a strategy of fairness and race -blind equality, Mayor Rishoff of Agoura Hills commented recently that this new policy is just one piece of a complex solution to a real problem, RECEIVED 1991 Citv of Moorpark The Honorable Paul Lawrason Page 2 a solution that is designed to enst.re that:: the law is complied with, while protecting the rights f citizens and legal residents to seek work. I agree. Once again, thank you for giving mf this opportunity to communicate with you. I hope this letter clarifies my position, and I welcome further dialogue fron both the Council and the residents of Moorpark on this impo., tart i.}sue. "N E ton Gallegly Mt mbEa t- c f Congress EG:jf Press Conrerence, 9 -4 -91 Statement of Mavc IroTeri Bernardo M. Perez "On the morning of August ? , 1991, I received a copy of a notice of Congressman Gallec:�ly's scheduled press conference in Agoura Hills. The noticf read in par, "... the INS plans task force operations in other parts of his district where the day laborer issue -ias oek>n a problem." "It appeared clear to me an: tc otrxers, that the INS was coming to Moorpark. The congressman has since clarified his intent and has assured the itv Council that he is not proposing that INS target: ~te day labor situation in Moorpark without the City" -eques "I thank the Congressman tc: this ,, larification. I, too, share his support for local ontrol and although his clarification eases my concern regarding Moorpark, I remain disappointed with the prom --c c our se of action for other jurisdictions. "I b_lieve, and it will become evident to you, that a sinc ---e spirit of respect. and cooperation exists in Moorpark amongst the City Council, ere men looking for work, the local merchants, and equal.l; important, the community at large. This approach will arry us through the present circumstances to a resolLutis °i that is equitable to all concerned." P'jj AAS[ FEaLr Tq SACRAMENTO ADDRESS STATE CaATOL Yesu CA h6I 446.6465 016TRIC T OMCE ADDREASE6 1156 STATE STREET SurM 1107 SANTA SARSARA. G ip3 pt �00A� 060•'T66 SC' &711T-I 4 CTORIA AVKNUr wIT1< sa VENTURA CiC clew WSJ 6 -34-4646 pYNARC *c4bi 466•sap6 Califirrttitt tie *jenttte GARY K. H 9RT SEN,A7o F 94KTCEN ,�= eis *c.. CHAIRMAN EEAJCA'n ON Ctoo tA,17TM AUgUat 30, 19 91 Honorable Paul Lawraso:-L City of Moorpark 779 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93o3? Fear Mayor lAwrason: COmmirre ,9: f k4A7*N, CHAiRM NA%R.0 AC8WJ U S NLDLUE YXZ CHAIRMAN "IN US AND RROPLUION$ I!Nl'R4T S RUNLIC LMLMRA SUOUT 4 FISCAL REVIEW GON$?ITVTIONAL AMENOMENTI aue<OMMRTEE CA Dr"HORE oil p OAS OMLOMIENT, CMAIRMAN .ONT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMmr"yg I wanted to write and congratulate you and other officials in Moorpark for your efforts in trying to find an acceptable location for day laborers who are seeking employment. I applaud your efforts this summer, along with those of $1 Concilic del Condado de Ventura, to find an alternative location that would be acceptable to all concerned. In seeking another site besides the corner that is currently used, you have demonstrated readership in finding a solution on a local level to this delicate issue. You have also shown your sensitivity to the needs of the business community as well as those of the day laborer. Please convey to they other members of the Moorpark city Council my support for your efforts to resolve the day laborer issue without federal intervention. As always, if I can be of assistance on this or any other issue regarding legislative matters, do not hesitate to contoAt me. ely, GKHIbao C1 IIRLf� c/o UNITED WAY INC. . 621pSOUTH V RGILUAVENUE - L S ANGELES •CEA OS ANGELES 5.404 t C 90005.4046 2 3/736.1300 ext. 235 PDFC I!ER'17EE AND IMM!4AATION BEEF!![" APL -CIO LABOR IMMIGRANT A14;8TANOE PRO,g.- AMBRICAN CIVIL LIBBFITIE3 UNION OF SOUTHOIN CAL`FCRN IA AMERICAN PAIENJ6 SEFVICE COMMIt FL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LEGAL CENTER CAU'''Ofi NIA TOMORROW CATHOLIC CHARITIES •:ENTRAL AMIPIICAN ACt%aEF CFN*ER CSJ JUSTICE OFPict COLORER MISSION 0OWN76WN LEGALIZATION PRGJEC,UN+spo METNO015T CHURCH �L CONOILIO OEL CLWOADO Dt VFN fURA ILLA66CATE IRISGCPAL SEFfVICE ALOANCE EQUAL ReOHTS CONGRESS FLOR Y CANTO CENTER HIRMANOAD MBXICANA NACIONAL DAV-O ILUON@, 600 IMM!OAATiON FIC"M LANOUAOE I @SUE@ NETWORK INLAND EMPIRE LATINO LAWYERS INTenFAITH TASK PORCI ON CENTSAL AMIAIGA :NTIANATIONAL W&TITUTE OR LOS ANGEIEe INTERNATIONAL LA0111 GAAMENT WOAKPR9 UNION JEWISH LAEOA COMMITTEE LATINO COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER LUTHERAN SOCUL SERVICES OF SOUTHERN CALPORNIA MI►AOPOLITAN IMMIGRATION CSNTIAt OP AMIAUCA k"'G,ANAMBRICAN LEGAL DEFENSE E EOUIyATIONAL FUND NATIONAL, ABBOCIATION QF EATING, EL=CTEO OFFICIAL@ NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMMISAANTS RIGHTS, !Na NATIONAL LAWYEAS GUILD NATIONAL NETWORK PDR IMMIGRANT a AIPUGIE AIP3H11 ORANGE COUNTY COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS OLIR LADY QUEEN OF ANOE1,4 C`IURCN. LA PLACiTA RR1T /eacf0 iA04WAAL PUBLIC WUNSIL SEARCH TD INVOLVE PILIPINU AIUtHICM4 SL, CACWORNLA OOMM UNIT/ GCLLBOE AMNESTY NETWORK IQ CALIPOANIA SCUM W ICAL COUNCIL 3T.JOBEFNCENTER BVNOOOR BOUTNEAN CALIPORNIA 6 NANNII FAEBBYTMAIN "KM USA TRINITY BPIBOOPAL CHUACH UNMIND ELICIAICAL, AADIO B MAGNINE N4RKER$ OF AMIAICM. W ITEO POW AND COMMMIAL WORKERS. LGt„AL TTC UNi7TEp MET MODIBT FiBPU60I AND IMMiOAATiON COA1M11TBB/CAI.1l, FAGIFIO ANNUAL CONFRASNCF WLTRLORELI" Sincerely 1 Septeamber 4; -I I L� Mayor Paul Lawrason and City Council City Hall '49 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, CA 91011. Dear Mayor Lawr.ason The Coalition Tor Humane for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles supports local efforts to seek a more positive and permanent day labor site. We are very encouraged by your efforts to include day laborers and local advocates in your city initiatives. We believes that only through a cooperative and inclusive process can a humane and workable solution be achieved. Day laborers looking for work are only trying to live with dignity. Our government should not be harassing, passing laws or arresting peoples : .,ho trying to earn an honest wage. CHIRLA is opposed to the "Illegal Alien Task Force proposed by Representative ELton Gallegly, INS District Director Robert Moscharak and the Mayor of Agoura Hills. Their efforts have been and will continue to be discriminatory which only fosters racial intolerance. We look forward to continuing to work with the city of Moorpark in trying to avoid the conflict that its neighbor Agoura Hills has found itself in, we Join with othesrs in supporting a more positive solution for the day laborers, businesses and residents. Fr'ank de Jesus Acosta Executive Director C LAW CAF � I C S OF O U CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE R 445 SOUTH "B" STREET T P.O., BOX 1561 E OXNARD, CALIFORNIA Q3030 S TELEPHONE (805; 486 1068 Y FAX (805) 4;6 -5381 C August 2r 1991 O P Y Mayor Paul W. Lawrason, Jr., and ?he City Council City of Moorpark 799 Moorpark Ave. N Moorpark, CA 93021 O Re: DAY LABORERS A Dear Mayor Lawrason and Members ct the Council: C T I commend the City of Moorpark fc,r- the direction it seems to be I taking in addressing the situat.ior involving the day laborers who O gather near the Tipsy Fox. N This is a charged issue, and it makes sense to me begin with the basics. The reality is that the. workers are here to get work, and R they are here because they do get work. They fulfill a community E need for day labor. That people gather for day work is not a Q problem, rather it is the ineluctable result of the dynamics of a Q complex social and economic commun...ty. It is probably both futile I and counterproductive to try to make day laborers go away. There R are innumerable examples of failed government attempts to prohibit E an activity where there is a consuner demand. D Success, it seems, lies in accommodation and regulation. A ban on day laborers will not wore. A ban on hiring day laborers sabotages a viable, symbiotic syst� =m and community need. A phone bank system is inadequate. I encourage the Council to continue to participate in the accommodation of the various interests involved, and particularly urge that any solution must provide for a place for workers to gather and seek employment. I believe the Council can do right by the workers, the employers, shop owners, and the community by putting its efforts towards a hiring site. I believe that the rewards will justify the resources required. Thank you very much. Sincerely, CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE L Directing Attorney F: \DATA_T1.41P \M00RPARKATR Ventura County Immigration Coalition Humberto Garza Chairperson August 30, 1991 Mayor Paul W. Lawrason, Jr., and the City Counc+ City of Moorpark 799 Moorpark Ave. Moorpark, CA 93021 Re: Day Laborers Dear Mayor Lawrason and City Council Members: I congratulate the efforts and stated objectives of the City of Moorpark concerning the issue of the day laborers who congregate to look for work from the corner of High St. and Spring Rd. The positive response that the City of Moorpark has given to the workers and to the community is even more commendable when shown in the light of what has transpired in the nearby City of Augora Hills. The day labor issue is a complex one that involves many factors within the economic and social dynamics of a city. Solutions should be sought that demonstrate cooperation on many different levels and will serve to be far reaching solutions for the benefit of the areas' residents. Fortunately, the City of Moorpark has demonstrated such vision and leadership when confronted with such a complex issue. Cooperation in the search of an equitable solution for all sectors of society is a just and admirable one that I, and the 'Ventura County Immigration Coalition, wholeheartedly support. The City of Moorpark's recognition of day labor as more than an immigration issue to be solved by punitive means, represents a rational and responsible approach that serves as an example for all municipal governments within Ventura County. Sincerely, —Y'e Humberto Garz� Chairperson 528 South "A" Street Oxnard, CA 93030 • (805) 486 -4587 • FAX (805) 486 -4580 DECLARATION OF COOPERATION W° �° Day Laboran of kloorpark, stand In agresment with the slated intentions of Moor City Council to seek an ahemaliw .Ile ror ourselves and olFgr workers who now occupy corrhw of HIgh SL and Spring Ad. We au park's easier access to em ppOn tw Pncposal " an altemata day labor site my the pbyrtwnt in order to maintain owselvea and our families In a manner that is of Modiai t° us and IM community . We firmly believe that by working together with the City through Moorpa . on phis testis we build • cuonger tense of unity, not only among ourselves, but throughout the different sectors of the community. In demonstrating our willingness to C1pi1° 1p the Proposed process we do not seek to relinquish the status of the cu "canon. Howavor, we seek to reach an agreement on coezistance That will benefit both that wip minimize differences and misunderslandinga during the Interim iron, more Permanent day arties Y labor site can bo IaurW. period until which a DECLARACION DE COOPERACION Nosoues Ics tr"ador°° Iab°rai °° de kAoorpark, estamoa en acuerdo con lot inlentos Millunce deUandos Por el Cona°Jo de k Uudad do apoyamesY el propociJa da obouj o �� li °Wulna do atcalle Highly atIva era nativo Para ganar tin ecceso 19 Y al ampled. ad Wmo deamanterpnhps Y paler manlerwr nuestras famllfas an tine marwra que rpc beneficie �L kfad HO°OpO° creemos slnceramente que an trabajar Juntoe con la cludad d° q- P e° sale °soot° Podemes —Mir tin sentdo de la tinkled, no solo ante la cluos, Par que par halos t, sxtares de la c— .nidad. Con demestrar nuestra buena volunlad de patualpar inn el acunto u.l m e nc t Z7 q Irnento do ranunclar e1 ectazuc de la esquina acohal. Sin embargo, gwromos akanzar tin acuerdo mutuo de dismimi"t I" dlrorencias Y malos entandidos du 0 el plaza q ovecho a ambo° ntrado. panes que agar permanents sae P�m V OtG P/�-�' b "Tyl�"n"�� ✓LLB r - �GO�/�NdO zar 5zy Yq S urn. a .ire rC� 2Yh� 610 A rte.. A,f , j7ri, AN xL - _I 5 70 r 'Y elu� i 4✓ kxr�% ter CA /a P /A-, fl! Sa li a Pik �9ur7sko4(