By Brian Hews
Huntington Park has the dubious distinction of becoming the first city in California to appoint two undocumented immigrants as commissioners.
City Councilman Jhonny Pineda picked Francisco Medina and Julian Zatarain for commissions.
Pineda was sworn-in on March 16, 2015 as Huntington Park’s newest city council member.
On Monday, Pineda appointed Zatarain Huntington Park Parks and Recreation commission. Francisco Medina, 29, won an appointment to the Health and Education commission.
Both men will be required to undergo full background checks and will not receive a monthly stipend, which ranges from $25 to $75.
“Huntington Park is a city of opportunity and a city of hope for all individuals regardless of socioeconomic status, race, creed, or in this case, citizenship,” the councilman said in a statement. “Both these gentlemen have accomplished a great deal for the city. For that, on behalf of the city council, mayor, and our city, I want to say thank you to them both and I am confident they will do an excellent job on their commission posts.”
It might help with such a large population of undocumented people living in Huntington Park. I feel good may come out of this as bringing another voice to be heard.
Being a U.S. citizen is no longer a priviledge. The left has made it a right to all that just appear in the U.S. reason enough to be a citizen and have all the rights od U.S. citizens. Is that what our forefathers envisioned? My father had to study six months and I studied with him (although I was already a citizen)the presidents of the United States as well as the capitals of the States in order to be a citizen. Now…no longer. What use is it then to be a citizen when the process is cheapened?
Badges(I mean citizenship) we don’t need no stink’n citizenship.
One needs citizenship or legal status to work in the USA?
Can Huntington Park explain how are these individuals being legally paid by Huntington Park if they are not legally able to work in the U.S.A?
Paying illegals (undocumented) with public funds appears to be a reckless and purposeful illegal use of public funds.
The term Full Background check, as mentioned in the article, is not correct and is misleading. A full background check includes interviews of family, neighbors, employers, co-worker, friends of friends, etc. (past and present).
As mentioned elsewhere, this is only a “Live Scan” check. Live Scan can only compare prints to states and countries that are accessible and that are requested. In this case, H.P may only being checking California, unless Huntington Park request a check against the F.B.I. national database. Has Huntington Park said what database(s) they are checking? Does Live Scan have access to records in their home country?
All this about checking to see if these guys have a criminal record is mute here, as these individuals, according to the article are undocumented (meaning they are openly breaking U.S laws through entry and presently residing in the U.S.).
Now, it appears H.P. may be breaking the law by misusing public funds to pay these guys or by providing any other government perks as a method of compensation such a free meals, city staff time, etc.
These New Commissioners have a lot more to sign to be able to hold this position than just a background check. I did and still do as a Commissioner in California. Are we changing the rules for some but not all?
I feel like Alice in Wonderland. This is not legal and until Congress changes the Guidelines these people are not truly Commissioners. Virginia
Here we go! Trying to make a stand for illegal “aliens.” If these people truly want to serve their country or area where they live them become LEGAL. I have had it with this BS. There are certain rights and benefits to becoming a citizen of this great country and if you are here illegally get the hell out.
City of Cerritos has appointed commissioners and council members with no social security numbers and 2 councilman from Shadow Park, M/M Kappe did not have California residency, resided in Nevada and had empty shell office in city of Cypress. These records were based on Cerritos City Clerk data.