In response to recent proposed legislation which would require local law enforcement to act on illegal immigration, a 97% Latino suburb of L.A. has declared their town a “sanctuary” for immigrants:

…attracting fierce criticism from opponents who say it is encouraging lawlessness.

Maywood, a tiny urban pocket of Los Angeles county, has abolished its traffic police because of complaints that they were unfairly picking on Latino drivers.

Previously drivers without licences – almost all illegal immigrants – had their cars impounded. The city council has also passed a resolution opposing some of the toughest government measures against illegal immigration in recent times.

The effort is being spearheaded by the Maywood City Council and the mayor, one Felipe Aguirre:

“I don’t really see the legal and illegal distinction,” he said. “We are all human beings. Immigrants are an integral part of our community and they are not going to go away. We are recognising the reality that we cannot go after these people and survive as a city.”

Obviously the stance has been controversial among some residents, among them what the media is referring to as “Americanized” Latinos:

This discord was evident at a recent City Council meeting. On one side sat a group of newer immigrants who addressed the council in Spanish. On the other side sat a few of the city’s longtime Anglo residents and Latinos who spoke in English.

Photo via Ad Pulp. For more information on it, see the AdPulp post.

Via / Telegraph and LA Times