Illegal Friendly Town

Small border town provides safe haven for illegal immigrants who pay taxes

EL CENIZO - A tiny town of just 6,500 people provides the perfect place for illegal immigrants.

The mayor of El Cenizo, Raul Reyes, says town laws allow illegals to live without fear, provided they pay their taxes and don't break the law.

When the law was first changed in the late 1990s, Border Patrol agents tried raiding the town, picking up anyone without papers. But advocates said they were violating the citizens' rights, because they were targeting the town.

Since then, the city has grown. They've added a police department, fire department, trash collection, and a community center.

The city council meetings are even held in Spanish.

The mayor says attendance at the meetings jumped 150 percent because of that.

He tells NEWSCHANNEL 5 the illegal immigrants are a vital part of his city's growing economy, and they will be welcome for generations to come.