O.C. Supervisors Postpone Controversial Vote

SANTA ANA — Two county supervisors who want their fellow board members to support a bill in Congress denying automatic citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants decided Friday to put off Tuesday’s scheduled vote on the controversial resolution.

Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who sponsored the resolution along with Supervisor Jim Silva, said he wanted more time to meet with constituents and other interested parties before a final vote is taken on the measure.

More than 100 people attended last Tuesday’s board meeting, when the supervisors deadlocked 2-2 on the proposal.

Silva and Spitzer have argued that denying automatic citizenship to such children would make California less of a magnet for illegal immigrants and lead to significant reductions in the more than $30 million the county spends annually on health and social services for them.

But board Chairman William G. Steiner strongly opposes the measure, which he said wrongly punishes children for the actions of their parents.

Supervisor Charles V. Smith said he doesn’t believe county supervisors should be concerning themselves with what he sees as a federal issue.

Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson missed last Tuesday’s vote and has not publicly announced his stand.

In a statement released Friday, Spitzer’s office noted that “the issue has grown increasingly volatile” and that the supervisor wanted to take more time to hear from concerned residents.

“I’m interested in finding solutions to this problem and welcome all constituencies’ input before taking action,” Spitzer said in the statement.