QUESTION 1:  How do you feel the city and/or elected officials should address illegal immigration, at the city level? Please cite specific ordinances or bills that you may want to propose.
ANSWER:  By helping enforce our Country’s current immigration laws. Every law agency is responsible and we should work together. We should also be prepared to work at the state and federal levels to promote appropriate legislation and defeat inappropriate legislation. The oath of Police and Elected Officials contains, “…protect and defend the Constitution and Laws of the United States and of this State and the Charter and Ordinances of this city…” and enforcing the laws is honoring our oath. National security begins at home and Lewisville is our piece of the United States for which we are responsible.

QUESTION 2:  Farmers Branch and Irving have taken a firm position on illegal immigration, with enforcement such as blocking illegal immigrants’ ability to rent an apartment. Would you take this stance or not? Explain.
(FOR SOUTHLAKE ONLY: Because you have no apartments zoned for your area, do you agree or disagree with blocking services for illegal immigrants?)
ANSWER:  Yes, On 1-22-2008 the FB Council passed Ordinance 2952 which will stop rentals of housing to illegal aliens and will place the enforcement burden on the city and federal government rather than landlords. Other cities should support Farmers Branch in this fight for America now. Once 2952 passes the courts, other cities will adopt a similar ordinance. It will be a tool for the City to help enforce the laws of this Country and help enforce one family dwelling ordinances, overcrowding in apartments, schools, hospitals, welfare offices, etc.. It will save money at all levels.

QUESTION 3: What do you think about cities or the nation mandating English as the official language?
ANSWER: Absolutely! Like Oak Point and Farmers Branch. It is a blessing to be bilingual on a personal level. I do not think the City should offer any translations other than that required by the Federal and State Laws – of which I do not agree. However, I agree with Theodore Roosevelt (1907, 1919*), “We have room for but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
 * ADDED after submission:  Two sources online.  The speech is real but the year may be in question.  Maybe he used the same speech.

QUESTION 4: Who is responsible, if anyone, if illegal immigrants are hired by local businesses or individuals?
ANSWER:  Those who hire are responsible and should be fined for breaking the law. It is everyone’s responsibility to obey the law. If you hire a company, then you should have done your due diligence to make sure that they are hiring legal residents. E-Verify from DHS (See http://www.uscis.gov/E-Verify) is free and there is no reason why anyone should hire an illegal alien. Be sure the company you hire is using E-Verify. The problem is that American citizens who say they care about stopping illegal immigration are complicit by hiring illegal aliens, or doing business with those who do.


JOHN GORENA, Candidate for Lewisville City Council, Place 1