Thread: Crime by illegal aliens prompts action, Warren County, Ohio

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 50369/1077

Crime by illegal aliens prompts action
Warren County group hopes to get tougher laws in Ohio

BY JESSICA BROWN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

HAMILTON TWP. - Some Warren County residents have formed a citizen action group to try to stem illegal immigration and the crime they say it is bringing to their fast-growing county.

Citizens for Legal Communities held its first meeting Thursday night at the Hamilton Township Community Center. The group was formed after the stabbing death of a 27-year-old man in Mason last month, allegedly at the hands of at least one illegal immigrant.

Joined by County Administrator Dave Gully, Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel, Sheriff Tom Ariss and other law enforcement and court officials, the group of nine residents discussed for about two hours what, if anything, they can do.

"It's a matter of trying to find out what we can do locally," said Hamilton Township resident William Barnhill. His son, Kevin Barnhill, was found stabbed to death Aug. 26 after a fight outside the Mason Pub.

Humberto Rodriguez Mota, 30, of Mason, and Enrique Torres, 36, of Cincinnati, are charged with complicity to murder.

Mota is believed to be in the country illegally. He is due in Mason Municipal Court on Tuesday. Torres remains at large.

Barnhill wants immediate deportation for those found to be in the country illegally and stiff sentences of 15 years or more for those who harbor them or provide them with false documentation.

He's talked to his state and federal representatives. He wants something done. He hopes this citizen group can help get it started.

"My wife and I are not going to let it go," he said. "We owe it to our son."

The group had a lot of questions.

"How can a landlord be allowed to rent one apartment to 20 people without getting documentation from any of them?" asked Julie Stephens of Hamilton Township, a friend of Kevin Barnhill. She was referring to a complex where she used to live.

South Lebanon business owner Larry Lehman wanted to know why no one ever checks his paperwork.

He said it would confirm that all his employees are documented citizens.

They were exasperated to learn that when an illegal immigrant is arrested, immigration officials seldom come to deport them.

They plan to circulate petitions to put more teeth in an Ohio immigration bill proposed this week.

With a campaign of letters, petitions and lots of talking, this small group hopes to make a difference.

"One of our residents was killed brutally by an illegal alien," said Judi Lehman, Larry Lehman's wife and group organizer. "For years we kind of turned our head. Maybe it's time we do something. We're a small voice, but maybe we can help."

Hutzel said her office has seen an increase in the past six months in the number of crimes being committed by people who are in the country illegally.

"It used to be fairly unusual," Hutzel said. "Now we're seeing one felony a week at grand jury."

It creates problems for the prosecutor's office because the suspects have no paper trail, she said. In one case, her office had to conduct DNA analysis to figure out the true identity and age of a defendant accused of having sex with a minor. He had false documentation showing he was 16. He was actually 26.

"It's a problem," she said. "And it's becoming more of a problem in places like Warren County."

Gully said nothing will get done until the federal government sees immigration enforcement as a priority. It's a manpower issue, he said. There are nine Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents serving 22 area counties in Ohio.

The American Civil Liberties Union admits the immigration system is broken, but warns that there is a fine line between strict immigration enforcement and racial profiling.

For more information, call 937-783-5020.

E-mail jlbrown@enquirer.com

The American Civil Liberties Union admits the immigration system is broken, but warns that there is a fine line between strict immigration enforcement and racial profiling.

That's a lie if I've ever heard one. The ACLU is against enforcement of existing laws, and actively seeks out every opportunity to interfere with enforcement.