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L.A. Wants Contractors To Disclose If They're Working On Border Wall
Mexico-United States barrier at the border of Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, USA, circa 2016. The crosses represent migrants who died in the crossing attempt. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
On Tuesday, L.A. City Council voted 13-0 to draft an ordinance requiring any company seeking a contract with the city to publicly disclose if they've submitted a bid to build the controversial proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States of America. The motion was introduced by Councilman Gil Cedillo in May at a press conference with immigrant rights, faith and labor leaders.
The law would make it mandatory for any contractors who seek to do business with the city of Los Angeles to disclose if they have any contracts for design, construction, supply, procurement or other related services regarding building any proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States. "Angelinos deserve to know who they are doing business with. We have made it very clear that this City does not support the building of this wall. We are more interested in building bridges,” Gil Cedillo said in a statement on Tuesday. If passed, the law wouldn't actually ban contracts with companies working on the border wall, it would just require disclosure. The L.A. Times reports that Cedillo and other city officials are looking into whether they could legally ban those firms, or score them lower when they compete for city contracts.
“We’re looking for guidance on what, legally, we’re allowed to do,” Fredy Ceja, a spokesperson for Councilman Cedillo, told the Times.
"President Trump's proposed border wall is a monument to ignorance and hate," Apolonio Morales, political director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said at the May press conference. "We have the right to know if individuals or companies who are bidding to build that wall are also lining up to profit from the rich economy to which we contribute with our tax dollars."
The proposed ordinance still has to be drafted by the City Attorney and voted on again by full Council before it becomes law.
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