How do you pass a background check if you’re an illegal alien?
Via LA Times:
Julian Zatarain always assumed the doors of City Hall were closed to him because he is here illegally, arriving from Sinaloa in 2007 when he was 13.
The 21-year-old college student found other outlets for service, such as volunteering for the Red Cross and with an organization that helps young people like him get access to educational resources.
Then on Monday, Zatarain proudly accepted an appointment to the Huntington Park parks and recreation commission. Another immigrant here illegally, Francisco Medina, 29, won an appointment to the health and education commission.
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“I’m speaking out for people like me,” Zatarain said. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”
Whoops, looks like there may be a special reason behind this appointment:
Councilman Jhonny Pineda announced at Monday night’s city council meeting that he’s appointing two undocumented immigrants as commissioners, CBS2/KCAL9’s Kara Finnstrom reports.
“You are out of order!” one woman in the crowd yelled at the council members.
Some critics say Pineda, who joined the council in March, specifically picked Medina and Zatarain because they worked on his campaign. Others believe they don’t believe undocumented immigrants should serve the government this way.
“We’re sending the wrong message: you can be illegal and you can come and work for the city,” a woman told Finnstrom.