Warner introduces illegal immigration proposal

Bob Warner wants Fremont to do something to combat illegal immigration.

On Tuesday, the Ward 4 city council member introduced a proposal to direct city staff to look into the feasibility of an ordinance to ban any resident or any business from harboring, hiring or transporting illegal immigrants.

A motion for the study passed 5-3. Gary Bolton, Scott Getzschman and John Anderson voted against the study.

Council member Scott Schaller said he thought this was a good idea.

“I would support this,” Schaller said. “I think we can come up with something that would work for Fremont.”

Warner said since federal agencies have difficulty enforcing federal immigration laws, maybe local police agencies can help.

But Bolton didn’t agree with that line of thought.

“If federal laws are hard to enforce, is it possible to enforce a city ordinance like that?” Bolton asked.

City Attorney Dean Skokan said similar municipal ordinances across the country have been ruled unconstitutional.

“Once there is a federal law, municipalities cannot pass a law that would do the same thing,” he said. “I’m not telling you this can’t be done. I’m telling you it’s going to be very difficult.”