Thread: Another Illegal Released, More Excuses

Immigration issue hits home
Overcrowded jails, federal agencies add problems on local front
Jason Brown
jbrown@theadvertiser.com

As law enforcement agencies across the nation clamor for more training in dealing with illegal immigrants, an incident in Lafayette this week has raised questions about what local agencies can and should do when faced with suspected illegals.

The story began Wednesday when Gabriel Gutierrez was arrested by state police after a checkpoint stop when he was unable to produce a driver's license or any other documentation indicating he was in the country legally.

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Gutierrez was brought to Lafayette Parish Correctional Facility where he was released with only a summons to appear in court on a charge of operating a vehicle without lawful presence in the United States, a criminal charge that carries a possible one-year sentence.

Three other people in the car, none of whom could provide proof of residency, were released on the spot since Louisiana has no laws to cover such stops and troopers are not authorized to make arrests under federal laws, said Capt. Troy Meche, spokesman for Louisiana State Police.

Facing an overcrowded jail and a history of frustration in working through federal agencies charged to deal with illegal immigrants, officials with the parish and state police on Thursday defended their actions.

For the jail's part, the staff checked with immigration to see if Gutierrez has any holds or warrants before releasing him, said Lt. Craig Stansbury, spokesman for the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office. Ultimately, for them every case has to be considered individually as the jail continues to struggle with overcrowding, Stansbury said.

As for the trooper, Meche said he was left with no alternative but to let the man go when the jail refused him since Immigration and Customs Enforcement is traditionally called after someone in booked. As for the passengers released, Meche said troopers have previously called and left messages or spoken to people who never responded.

Temple Black, spokesman for ICE, though, said there are options for troopers, who can contact a 24-hour-hotline where a live person will help to ensure the right person responds.

"There is a process in place and if the state police officer would have called we would have responded," he said.

That difference in opinion is the kind of thing that has spurred communities across the country to call for more training from the federal government in immigration law. ICE is now providing that training.

Gannett News Service contributed to this report.

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Temple Black, spokesman for ICE, though, said there are options for troopers, who can contact a 24-hour-hotline where a live person will help to ensure the right person responds.

"There is a process in place and if the state police officer would have called we would have responded," he said.

That difference in opinion is the kind of thing that has spurred communities across the country to call for more training from the federal government in immigration law. ICE is now providing that training.

Gannett News Service contributed to this report.

This ICE Agent i so full of Sh_ _. "There is a process in place and if the state police officer would have called we would have responded," he said.

I have lost all and I mean all faith in the Federal Government... it's long past time to tear it all down and restart from scratch... the politiicians has screwed up washington so bad it's FUBAR of a civilized society