LA mayor-elect breaks with governor on civilian border patrols

SF Gate.com ^ | May 19, 2005 | MICHAEL R. BLOOD

[SmithL]

Los Angeles (AP) --

Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa said Thursday he opposes civilian volunteers patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border to discourage illegal immigration, putting him at odds with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"We need our Department of Homeland Security, which patrols the border ... to address the issue of security," Villaraigosa, who was elected Tuesday, told CNN.

"We have an old saying from the days of the wild, wild West ... leave your gun outside of the city limits," Villaraigosa added. "It doesn't make any sense for people to take the law into their own hands."

In comments last month that were criticized on both sides of the border, Schwarzenegger praised the so-called Minuteman Project in Arizona, which enlisted hundreds of volunteers, some armed, to patrol the Arizona border to document and report illegal crossings.

"I think they've done a terrific job, and look, they've cut down the crossing of illegal immigrants by a huge percentage," the governor said in a radio interview. A day later he called the federal government "irresponsible" because it has not acted to safeguard the borders.

Aides to Schwarzenegger have said the governor would not object to Minuteman volunteers coming to California, but noted that they would not be allowed to carry weapons under state law. President Bush has called the Arizona volunteers "vigilantes."

Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson had no comment on Villaraigosa's remarks.

Villaraigosa spokesman Joe Ramallo said the Minuteman controversy was not a priority for the mayor-elect,

[judgeandjury]

Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa said Thursday he opposes civilian volunteers patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border to discourage illegal immigration, putting him at odds with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Gee, no surprise there. Villaraigosa is just looking out for his Latino buddies, the illegal alien lawbreakers.

[umgud]

"It doesn't make any sense for people to take the law into their own hands."

Which law did they (Minute men) take into their own hands?

[Mr. Jeeves]

Politicians like him don't want us taking the law into our own hands at the ballot box, either. ;)

[Mr. Jeeves]

Politicians like him don't want us taking the law into our own hands at the ballot box, either. ;)

[DumpsterDiver]

President Bush has called the Arizona volunteers "vigilantes."

I swear, they just have to insert that into every article.

"The mayor [Villaraigosa] has his plate full with the issues facing our city — first and foremost crime, education and transportation," Ramallo said.

And both [Hahn and Villaraigosa] said they did not believe police officers should contact immigration officials when illegal immigrants are discovered during traffic stops or arrests.

So much for fighting crime.

[OKIEDOC]

What do you expect to here out of a liberal Mexifornian.

When enough pressure is applied by Homeland security then this guy will reverse himself and cry another turn.

However a recent poll Hispanics and non-Hispanics taken by the El Paso Times shows that border citizens oppose licenses for illegal aliens by a margin of 65% against and 29% for letting them have licenses.

They favor a law requiring proof of citizenship before registering to vote by a margin of 76% for to 20% opposed.

[white trash redneck]

"We need our Department of Homeland Security, which patrols the border ... to address the issue of security," Villaraigosa, who was elected Tuesday, told CNN.

I've got no quarrel with this statement. Problem is, they're not doing their job.

[GOP_1900AD]

The most radical mayor ever to be elected to a top 5 (in population) US city. This state is slipping even further away.

[goldstategop]

Uh huh. More evidence the Democrats are AWOL on the issue of national security.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Torie]

The Minutemen were not carrying guns in their Arizona operation. I just thought I would mention that.

[corsair]

Why would Antonio Villaraigosa care about facts? He already has President Bush on his side, Bush already called the Minutemen "vigilantes".

[Torie]

Yes, the Bush remark did seem a bit knee jerk to me.

[corsair]

fantastic! Is that common knowledge around L.A.?

[corsair]

Not knee jerk, just jerk.

[Torie]

No.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

"We need our Department of Homeland Security, which patrols the border ... to address the issue of security," Villaraigosa, who was elected Tuesday, told CNN.

I thought he was elected mayor, not governor. Is Los Angeles any where near the border?

Pretentious liberal...

[corsair]

"liberal Mexifornian"

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Remember the billboard? Channel 54 in Los Angeles, Mexico.

[philetus]

Now, L.A. won't let the rest of the U.S. extradite killers from L.A.

[philetus]

Is Los Angeles any where near the border?

Not yet.

[corsair]

The headline should have been "Los Angeles mayor-elect under cloud of suspicion" Followed by "Los Angeles' newly elected mayor of Mexican ancestry opposes citizen action to stem invasion of illegals from Mexico. Federal government has been ineffective for many years, leading to citizen action, meanwhile President Bush has proposed *another* amnesty for illegal immigrants."