Posted on Thu, Sep. 6, 2007

Phila. councilman seeks police immigration checks

City Councilman Brian J. O'Neill said yesterday that he would introduce an ordinance to require Philadelphia police to check the immigration status of all felony suspects and notify federal immigration authorities and the District Attorney's Office when a suspect is undocumented. A similar rule was announced last month by New Jersey's attorney general.

In a heads-up letter to Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson, O'Neill wrote: "In light of the recent murder of three college students in the city of Newark - where one of the suspects is an illegal alien previously charged with three felonies, including child rape and aggravated assault - I want to ensure that the Philadelphia Police Department requires arresting officers to check the immigrant status of arrested suspects."

The effort comes as a growing number of municipalities, frustrated by the failure of Congress to pass immigration legislation, are trying to exercise authority in an area ordinarily reserved to the federal government. - Michael Matza

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/ph ... hecks.html