National City,California To Welcome Illegals

The San Diego Union Tribune reports:

NATIONAL CITY – Mayor Nick Inzunza declared National City an immigrant sanctuary in a proclamation he presented to immigrants rights activists during dueling rallies that brought about 400 people to City Hall yesterday.

The San Diego Minutemen, and immigrants rights supporters faced off on National City Boulevard with about 130 peace officers in riot gear between them to keep the crowds from mixing. The crowds appeared to be near even in number.


Inzunza didn't leave City Hall, for fear of inciting violence. Instead, he invited immigration rights activist Enrique Morones inside to receive the proclamation.

“We're still a nation of laws. We still have a constitution that protects us. That's what we're saying,” Inzunza told reporters.

Early last month, Inzunza announced his plan to declare the city a sanctuary for immigrants, though a majority City Council vote is required to officially establish it.

In a sanctuary city, municipal funds cannot be used for enforcing federal immigration laws, which is already the case in National City.

Inzunza said yesterday that the proclamation was a way of memorializing National City policies, such as the Spanish translation for council meetings and the city's acceptance of the Matricula Consular identification cards, issued by the Mexican government through its consulates, as an official ID. The card shows that the bearer is a Mexican citizen who is living outside of Mexico.

Not everyone likes speaking English.