POSTED: Friday, April 30, 2010 - 6:04pm
UPDATED: Saturday, May 1, 2010 - 6:05pm
EL PASO--- A hot button issue, just made hotter here in El Paso.
The City and the County have drafted resolutions both showing disapproval for the law, which would allow arizona police to enforce federal immigration laws and ask immigrants for citizenship documents.
But what's inside the two resolutions is causing a stir.
In the City's resolution, authored by Representative Eddie Holguin, "... the City of El Paso calls upon our national leaders to agree upon comprehensive reform of immigration legislation."
The county's resolution, authored by Commissioner Willie Gandara, goes quite a bit further.
Until the bill is repealed the county,"... will limit any business dealings with the State of Arizona and will not expend public funds on non-essential travel to Arizona."
It also wants to encourage El Pasoans "...to boycott business dealings with business entities head-quartered in Arizona and travel to the state until Senate Bill 1070 is repealed."
"Why should that be allowed to affect local businesses? It doesn't make sense to me," said Ralph Dibonito of West El Paso.
"It would be a way of letting people know how they feel. I don't know if it will be effective or not, but it's a way to let them know how they feel," said fellow El Pasoan John Smith.
"Boycotting and all that, all the rhetoric and grand standing,what politicians are doing, is fine and dandy, but the problem is that it takes away from the bigger issue, which is comprehensive immigration reform," said Eddie Holguin.
We spoke to Commissioner Veronica Escobar earlier today.
She says while she supports not funding county business trips to the state, she hopes to amend the issue over boycotting local businesses.
Both resolutions still face changes at their respective meetings this week.