Aliso Viejo voted Thursday to join several other cities in challenging California's so-called sanctuary state legislation curtailing law enforcement from fully cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
The City Council heard more than six hours of commentary from the public before voting 4-1 in the wee hours of the morning to file an amicus brief supporting U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions' lawsuit against the state. Mayor Pro Tem Ross Chun cast the dissenting vote.
The council also approved a resolution to "support the rule of law" and demand that Congress reform immigration law. The vote was 4-1, with City Councilman Phil Tsunoda dissenting.
Mayor Dave Harrington said he believed the amicus brief in support of the federal lawsuit made more sense than spending a great deal more money to try to intervene in the lawsuit.
"I'm fiscally conservative — I don't want to be wasting money," Harrington said.
The amicus brief is part of the city's retainer with its attorney, so it won't cost extra, the mayor said.
Harrington said the meeting went smoothly though there was "passion on both sides." He admonished the public before the meeting began Wednesday night that disturbances would not be tolerated.
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"I said we will have a discourse like adults or I'll clear the chambers," Harrington said.
The mayor said his main issue in the debate was the fear that criminals will escape from jails if federal and local law enforcement cannot work together regarding allegations against undocumented immigrants. Harrington argued that in some cases, immigration authorities are leery of sending along an undocumented immigrant to local authorities for fear they won't be returned to face deportation. "So the victim won't get their day in court," Harrington said.
The mayor brushed off criticism that he was a xenophobe or bigoted, noting that he and his wife have adopted a son and daughter from Ethiopia.
"I said I've got more diversity in my house than you've had in your whole life," Harrington said.
The mayor also denied criticism that he was "grandstanding" for his bid to be elected Orange County sheriff. The retired Orange County sheriff's sergeant said he has a long track record of "law and order" politics.
City councils in Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo voted to support Orange County's attempts to join the federal government's legal challenge. The Los Alamitos City Council has voted to "opt out" of the state law.