DeMaio Opposes Chula Vista CA Proposal to Let Illegal Immigrants Serve on City Commissions

Chula Vista, CA is proposing that illegal immigrants and non-residents should serve on city boards and commissions. The city is considering adopting the policy with a charter amendment in the November election — which requires voter approval.

According to Chula Vista’s staff report, the proposed city charter revisions eliminate the “requirement for most boards and commissions that members be ‘qualified electors’ (i.e., U.S. citizens),” and instead require “residency” [Section 602(D)]. The new language also explicitly states that commission members can be non-residents of the city.

Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California and a former San Diego City Councilman, says that the charter amendment is illegal and inappropriate and would unfairly dilute the voice of citizens in that city.

“It’s ridiculous to allow foreign citizens to dictate or influence policy in a country where they are not a citizen — it’s simply unfair to real citizens,” says DeMaio.

“From the beginning of our nation, it has been a common-sense accepted notion that only legal citizens should serve in government offices and get to vote, but now Democrats have embraced this extremist concept of allowing non-citizens to vote,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio says the Chula Vista proposal is part of a larger disturbing trend across California.

In 2015, in the first instance of this policy in the state, Huntington Park appointed two illegal immigrants to city commissions. Then in 2018 San Francisco granted the right to illegal immigrants to vote in local elections. And more recently, the state has pushed for illegal immigrants to receive subsidized healthcare, education, and more.

“It doesn’t stop with city commissions — in recent years California Democrats have pushed for illegal immigrants to obtain full voting rights and other benefits,” says DeMaio.

“With Gavin Newsom and the California Democrats declaring California a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants, it’s no wonder that they’ve invested in attracting and taking care of the illegal population — but it’s coming at a cost to citizens,” DeMaio explains.

So what can be done to stop these policies that erode the voice of citizens? DeMaio says the best way is to first defeat Chula Vista’s charter amendment if it is placed on the November ballot.

“Rejecting Chula Vista’s city charter proposal will send a clear message to extreme California politicians that citizens’ voices must come first,” says DeMaio.

Reform California will be mounting a campaign to oppose the Chula Vista ballot measure - and is asking for concerned citizens to join in the fight to help defeat the measure.

Join the Fight: Ballot Title Reform‍