A city parks official from Kansas City resigned on Monday after two organizations moved their annual convention due to her membership in an anti-illegal immigration group.

Frances Semler, 74, a city parks commissioner, is member of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (MCDC) based in Arizona which occupies with patrols along the US border with Mexico in order to ask for more enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

On Tuesday she said that the reason she has resigned is that she didn’t feel that she received support from Mayor Mark Funkhouser and that her role as a member in the parks board has become too controversial, the Associated Press reports.

She said: "I feel betrayed. From time to time they would say good things, but from time to time there would be something hurtful. ... But it all piles up."

Funkhouser declared that he felt disappointed that Semler resigned.

In a statement Funkhouser said: “She says she didn't feel supported. I think the record shows differently.”

Semler said that she is a member of the Minutemen since 2006 and that the group is engaged in patrols of the Mexican border and reports to the authorities any illegal immigrants.

She said: "I'm a decent, nice person that happens to belong to the Minutemen and thinks our borders should be protected and our laws upheld."

She went on saying that even though she would continue her work with the Minuteman, she would not get involved in politics anymore.

Last summer Semler was appointed by Funkhouser to the park board formed out of five members, which debated issues like off-leash dog areas and outdoor party permits.

This move drew protests from minority advocacy groups like National Council of La Raza. In October the group voted to cancel the convention that was usually held in Kansas City and moved it to New Orleans, due to Semler’s membership to the Minutemen.

Also the Southern Christian Leadership Conference announced last week their decision to move the convention from the city to New Orleans.

On the other hand, the Minutemen said that it is a peaceful group which is defending the U.S. law.

Chris Simcox, president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said: “Mayor Funkhouser is clearly running a sanctuary city (for illegal immigrants) in Kansas City, and rather than demonstrate some leadership by enforcing the laws, he has chosen to play racial politics..." Reuters informs.