After Lake Forest passed a "no trespassing law" aimed at illegal immigrants, undocumented workers moved next door to Mission Viejo. Last night, the upscale city of Mission Viejo went a step further. By a unanimous vote, the City Council gave final approval to a new ordinance, which requires city contractors to weed out unauthorized workers. Starting July 1, all new hires and new city employees will be screened on the Internet through the Basic Pilot Program run by the federal department of Homeland Security. Does the system work? Is Mission Viejo trespassing on federal law? Can local economies survive in Southern California without immigrant workers--legal or otherwise?
Mission Viejo Stands Up against Undocumented Workers
Credits
Guests:
- John Paul Ledesma - Mayor Pro Tempore of Mission Viejo
- Tyler Moran - Employment Policy Director for the National Immigration Law Center
- Amanda Glowish - Reporter for the Orange County Register
- Leo Chavez - Professor of Anthropology at UC Irvine