Silver Linings: Retired Mediator Speaks Mind About Immigration Reform — Interview With Richard Sambrano, Retired Justice Department Mediator

FARMERS BRANCH Richard Sambrano is speaking out against his community’s new anti-immigration ordinance, although he is happy the federal government is finally making moves to reform the immigration system.

At one time, though, he wasn’t allowed to say much, if anything, about this issue. His job as a mediator with the U.S. Justice Department had prevented him from stating his opinion publicly.

But since his retirement on May 3, Sambrano has been taking opportunities to reclaim his constitutional right to free speech. He, in fact, did so prior to a debate over the Farmers Branch ordinance that he meant to only watch not too long after his last day on the job.

“Some guy from the media asked me if he could talk to me, and I said sure,” he told the Iconoclast in a recent interview. “Then the others in the media saw that and asked, ‘Who is this guy?’ I ended up being interviewed by four different television stations including Telemundo, Television, and others.”

“Now I can talk. I have a right. Before, I couldn’t because of my job, but now, I have a right, and I want to use it,” he added.

But it was too little, too late. The controversial ordinance passed by voters in Farmers Branch on May 12. It requires landlords to prevent undocumented workers from leasing apartments within the city limits.

However, last week, a federal judge in Dallas barred the enforcement of the new law, stating that the little suburb had no constitutional right to set and regulate immigration policy. That’s the federal government’s job, and so the case is expected to be heard in the coming week.

Sambrano said he expected the judge to rule as such, and Sambrano should know since he has had 25 years’ experience serving in the Justice Department.

There, he resolved conflicts as a federal mediator among minority groups, police and sheriff departments, public school districts, universities, cities, counties, state and federal government agencies, and corporations.

He was also the Director of Training for Action, the federal agency on volunteerism that oversaw such programs as VISTA, Peace Corps, and Seniro Volunteer Programs.

All this fulfilling work as a mediator had a catch, though. He had to uphold strict requirements of neutrality and confidentiality.

But now, Sambrano is free to speak out on issues, which he plans to do as an advocate for minorities. He currently serves as special advisor to the National League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Civil Rights Commission and as Vice President for the Elderly, North Texas district.

The Iconoclast recently caught up with Sambrano to talk about his connection with the Farmers Branch ordinance, his thoughts about the city council’s handling of the affair, and the controversy’s silver-lining i.e. Congress’ pending action on immigration reform.

Here is his interview: