Since the issue you raise, Barbra, is really a symptom of our immigration problems, here's one possible systemic solution. This was written in response to an op-ed that appeared in THE STAR (I think) months ago:

Terry Paulson's opening essay line clearly states the problem we're having solving America's immigration problems: our governemnt leaders are stuck. But they're stuck because immigration is an issue that's far too complicated for them. Their careers and their campaign war chests thrive on simple, black & white issues, win-lose situations that are divisive in nature. Yet for once this Nation is faced with an issue that can actually be a win-win situation for all Americans. Today's politicians can't begin to address such a situation because it's outside their narrow campaign-to-campaign mind set. The American people sense this but they're still waiting for their leaders to come up with a solution. Don't hold your breath America because it's WE that have to come up with a solution.

You want to solve the immigration issue with a win-win solution? Start by making all illegal immigrants register with the Feds within 180 days. Those that do register will have the option of enrolling in a government subsidized labor pool and we'll get back to that in a moment. Those that don't register are subject to arrest and immediate deportation without appeal and they'd forever lose any chance to reside in the U.S. legally. At this point the Feds can clamp down on our borders, making it a felony for anyone to sneak into the country. Now back to the registered illegals and that labor pool.

Those that don't want to enroll in the labor pool will need to return home but would be allowed to apply for legal residency in the U.S. any time in the future. Those that do enroll will be placed in a pool for three years that would be accessed first by the public service sector: hospitals, schools, municipalities, transportation districts, parks, museums and other institutions that provide a tangible public good. Only after those sorts of jobs are filled can private industry access this labor pool. Wages for these jobs would be partly subsidized by the American taxpayer. I know, "more government spending". But actually, its governent "investing"! Think about it and you'll realize why that is.

Workers in the pool would not have the option of joining the general work force until their three year enlistment is over. Wages for these jobs would be slightly lower than average but would enable every worker to live decently. These workers would have all the rights of other resident aliens except to join the general workforce.

At the end of their three year enrollment, these workers would have the option of applying for permanent residency in the U.S. To receive it they would have to pass a comprehensive English and Civics exam. If they don't receive permanent residency they would need to return to their home country but would be given priority on application for residency at a future date.

The purpose of the labor pool plan is threefold: it would give all illegals a path to legitimate residency in the U.S., it would accelerate their absorption into mainstream America and it would provide the Nation with a burst of resources and energy that hasn't been seen here since the great public works projects of the 1930s. We could see the Nation's entire infrastructure upgraded. New hospitals and schools can be built where they otherwise couldn't be afforded. Threatened cities, like New Orleans, San Francisco and others could be retrofitted more easily and at less cost with such labor resources. As for the cost, I'm not an accountant but it's becoming clear to all Americans that investing a hundred billion dollars in remodeling and fixing America is a lot better than spending a trillion dollars in the MidEast and all the other win-lose situations our leaders have dragged us into. The improved productivity of America's cities alone could offset a large portion of our taxpayer investment in this new labor pool.

Coupled with a mini-Marshall plan for Mexico's infrastructures that would make working there more attractive than seeking work here, a win-win plan might just create a Western Hemisphere that can stand strong and secure in an otherwise unsecure global environment. When our leaders thought big, our Nation grew big. When they think small, America stumbles.

Except for concrete & barbed wire barriers and threats of troops on our streets our leaders have failed to provide workable solutions to our immigration problem. It's now time for those leaders to shut up and listen to the American People. Only then will our win-lose immigration problem be turned into a win-win, new neighbor solution.

One of Society's problems in generating new laws are the same faced by our health system: we produce and market a lot of high-priced answers that each mask a different symtom, rather than get at the underlying root of the disease that's causing the symptoms. Making a law to battle over-crowding may give us temporary relief but will likly have some serious side effects such as homelessness, shanty towns, higher incidences of crime, communicable diseases and, in rare instances, outbreaks of civil disobedience and possibly insurrection.

That said, some measure ARE NEEDED to solve the overcrowding of homes here in Simi but we also need to address the underlying problems and that is we've made illegal immigration an attractive proposition for too many.

Isn't there already a law about overcrowding houses? I think we should enforce it.

No, there is no law currently on the books regarding overcrowding

Hi Barbra--

I believe the city should do everything in it's power to keep it's residents safe. Has there been any analysis done on overcrowding and it's threats to residential neighborhoods? I can think of the fire a year or so ago, but the owner was prosecuted by our city attorney's office, I think. What you are talking about is something more proactive?

You are right, I checked the muni-code online and we do not have an ordinance against overcrowding.

Have we really defined what overcrowding is and isn't? I hear a lot about what it looks like, but is the city prepared to define it based on some sort of ratio. I would hate to see a resident get penalized because his/her two kids share a room on a bunk bed in a smaller house.

If we want to go down this path, I'd like to make sure the rule is specific and narrowly tailored to mitigate any danger in communities, but not harm nromal living patterns.

Maybe, we need to create a ratio to define what overcrowding abuse is?

What sort of costs to the city would enforcement entail? Do you think we would see a decrease in service levels on other enforcement activities because we have a a new rule that is taking away both time and money?

Hello Again---

Got a chance to do some investigating this evening and found the recent passage of occupancy standards in Watsonville. I've attached the link.

The article stated that "The city cannot override state housing regulations, under which as many as 24 people can live in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house of 2,100 square feet."

24 people are allowed in a 4-2 house under state law. To me, that just seems excessively too high.

It appears the city of Watsonville just passed something where they will have mediation between neighbors to talk about the ill effects of overcrowding such as parking, but basically there is nothing they can do to override state law.

There was also an AP story on September 12th discussing renting restrictions to illegal immigrants in PA.

"Like the version it replaces, the new immigration ordinance punishes businesses that employ illegal immigrants and landlords who rent to them in the city of 31,000 residents about 80 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

The biggest change is in the enforcement of the law. The burden of verifying immigration status will now be on the city, giving landlords and businesses time to correct violations before imposing sanctions, and softening penalties."

Please note that the enforcement burden for identifying immigration status moved from landlords and businesses to the city.

I'd really like to understand the cost structure of enforcement these 600 cities are operating under to make sure ordinances like this one are enforced. How much general fund dollars were appropriated and how many new staffers or existing staffers were allocated to begin enforcement?

The reason we need to do something is that only illegal aliens would live 24 to a house but the government says we can't do anything about that! Maybe if we said Simi Valley enforces immigration laws or that we turn over illegal aliens to ICE we would have less of a problem.

What part of illegal don't you people understand? Why can't we get our immigration under control so that we can get workers in an orderly fashion? It is in the best interest of the workers and our nation.

Hi BS and Hmm,

I just wanted to give you both an update. Two bills passed by the House were dropped by the Senate this week or were considered DOA in the Senate.

First was HR 6095 which would allow local law enforcement to enforce federal illegal immigration laws and transfer these criminals to federal enforcement areas. I guess the Senate felt that local law enforcement should not be able to enforce immigration law in this country.

Second, was HR 6094, which would ban entry to any known gang member into the country and allow immediate deportation.

I point both these rules out this week because to me they seem like no-brainers for passage. I never realized the Senate was so protective of gang members right to enter the United States illegally. If your as outraged by this as I am, feel free to call your senator and ask them why they decided to constrain local government so much.

Anyway, I think both of your comments are valid, but feel that the federal and state limitations are so constraining that a local government response might lead to many lawsuits and undermine our local resources.

Until real reform is undertaken at the federal level and in the overcrowding issue at the state level, I would be concerened about opening our local taxpayers to being sued.

I have sent open letters BTW to our local state representation requesting a review of the allowance of 24 people per 4 bedroom house just so you know.

I personally would support an ordinance that disallowed businesses that employ any illegal activity in labor to obtain contracts from the city. However, I am still concerned of the cost of such enforcement and the potential legal repercussions with regards to obtaining such contracts under the lowest bid rules in the state.

So let's say Simi decides to not award a lowest bid contract because the contractor employs illegal immigrants. Could the employer than sue the city for not following the low bid rules defined by state law?

Look it's easy to say, let's enforce the law, but when the law is so conflicting depending on what level of government rules we look at, I'm concerned such rules would mean our police money is now going to pay for lawsuits and legal fees.

If the federal government would just do there job, this whole discussion would be moot.

I agree, why can't a REPUBLICAN congress with a REPUBLICAN president do thier job? Why does the ruling class refuse to secure the border?

Do you jobs!

Oh, I forgot they went on recess already.

I was online looking for some help in an overcrowding situation we have directly accross the street, in not only one home, but two. Each house at least fifteen occupants in each and between the two houses there are 18 cars parked daily. Four cars are partially blocking sidewalks which I know is illegal as I myslef received a ticket when I parked for 15 minutes to unload groceries (couldn't park close to house because of 18 cars in my way).

After reading through some of these posting it doesn't seem there are is any legal ramifications to the situation, besides calling law enforcement for the cars blocking the sidewalk.

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