Warday

CONFIDENTIAL BY COURIER

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

TO: GOVERNOR MARK B. CAMPBELL

FROM: Harold White, Special Assistant

DATE: 21 March 1990

SUBJECT: Current Status of Illegal Immigration

As per your request of 15 March, I have reviewed all current migration statistics from the California Highway Department, the War Recovery Commission, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. All data suggest that California is exceeding its current immigration quotas from other parts of the U.S. by almost 550 percent!

Our best estimates are that some 1,500–1,800 persons a day enter the State, most of whom do so illegally. Our present monthly quotas, as you know, have been set by agreement with the federal government at 1,500 per month through the remainder of 1990. This figure does not include exempt positions in the technological fields, nor the temporary residence “visas” issued to federal government and military personnel and foreign government staff.

The Highway Department Special Study Group believes that most illegals enter through the Arizona and Nevada corridors, which, because of their comparative uninhabited status, remain difficult to patrol. Highway Department figures project that some 40–6,0 percent of illegals enter through these corridors. Another 10 percent enter by low-flying night aircraft from multiple directions.

As a result of this influx, there is an enormous drain on all city and county services throughout the State, including water, sewage, police, and power. It has been impossible to reduce (and certainly to eliminate) the size and number of “tent cities” within the State. You will recall that the troop strength for the Highway Patrol is five times its prewar size.

Despite federal objections, the states of Oregon and Washington have implemented far-reaching statutes to reduce immigration. They are presumably acting within the provisions of the Emergency War Act, which, while it does not permit states to refuse resettlement, does provide for “control” and “regulation.” I am continuing conversations with the California Attorney General’s Office in order to draft proposed legislation on this matter for the upcoming special session of the State legislature.

In the meantime, you may want to consider the following “emergency” steps authorized by the legislature and apparently permissible under the EWA:

Recommendation One: Authorize an immediate increase in State Highway Patrol troop strength by 3,000 for purposes of reinforcing border control.

Recommendation Two: Immediately authorize an investigation of special-entry permits. You should issue a concomitant order to “freeze” such permits except as approved by you.

Recommendation Three: Direct the California National Guard to increase migration support. You may want to authorize some temporary visa control.

Recommendation Four: Place a request before the legislature asking for an additional $11 million for war relief. As permitted by the EWA, some of these monies can be used for migration control as well as for intrastate relocation.

Recommendation Five: Accelerate deportation activities by eliminating second- and third-stage appeal steps. This will no doubt produce some outcry, although it might be offset by the reduced drain on utilities and services.

Your request for recommendations for control/reduction of displaced illegals in the state will be ready by the end of the month.