Thread: Police chief to Obama: a secured border means no SB1070

Police chief to Obama: a secured border means no SB1070
Posted: Apr 22, 2011 9:35 PM CDT Updated: Apr 22, 2011 9:35 PM CDT

Reporter: Steve Nuñez

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) – On the one year anniversary of the signing of SB1070, Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor held a press conference to share details on the conversation he had with President Obama last week.

The President hand picked Villaseñor, along with nine other police chief's and sheriff's from around the nation, to discuss strategies on "fixing the broken immigration issue."

Villaseñor called the meeting "constructive."

He admitted the group was mostly pro-immigration, but they recognized that achieving "reasonable reform" requires border security to be a top priority in setting policy.

"I had the impression the president listened and accepted those comments as constructive statements."

Villaseñor also denied claims by other top law officers, including Sheriff's Paul Babeu of Pinal County and Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, that President Obama only heard "voices" from those who opposed SB1070. The law would require officers to enforce immigration laws and arrest those of being in the country illegally and fail to show proof of citizenship. The federal courts have blocked this part of the law while its constitutionality is being decided.

"So what do you say to Sheriff's and other top law officers who say President Obama only invited "yes men," asked Nine On Your Side Reporter Steve Nuñez.

"I don't consider myself a "yes man," said Villaseñor.

Villaseñor claims he's a registered Republican but understands the importance of representing both sides of the immigration issue.

In fact, he said the group emphasized the need to punish illegal immigrants.

He said the group presented this strategy as a way for President Obama to combat the perception that illegal immigrants are given "freebies" despite breaking the law.

"I think one of the topics brought about saying that if amnesty was part of that it's going to be dead in the water for some people," said Villaseñor. "But on the other hand I think there were some people that probably would go towards that type of venue."

And while Villaseñor said SB1070 was not a big part of the overall conversation, he does admit he stressed the importance that the President set policy that clearly mandates that federal agents, and not local police, enforce immigration laws.

"And we (local) need to concentrate on the violent crime in the community," said Villaseñor. "We will arrest illegal immigrants if we come across illegal immigrants and we can then turn them over to Border Patrol or ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). But our main focus has to be on the safety of everyone in our jurisdiction and I didn't want any type of policy to impede the flow of information we need to help achieve that goal."

Villaseñor said the President told the group he hopes to have a new policy in place within a year.

The police chief also made it clear he used money seized from drug dealers, and not taxpayer money, to pay for his trip.


http://www.kgun9.com/story/14500729/pol ... ected=true

It would have made more sense if Law Enforcement Officers and Governors of Border States would have been invited to the immigration meeting, so they can express their thoughts about illegal immigration. Those are the people struggling to keep the rest of us citizens safer from illegal invasions of every kind of criminal walks on two legs, entering this Country whenever they wants to and committing crimes against Americans, infesting our Cities, towns and Counties with illegal substances of every mixture of drugs. The people talking against increased laws against illegal aliens give me thoughts that I prefer not to express; however, I will say such people are not getting into the game for no reason. Any time a person performs such actions there is something in the game to benefit them, otherwise they would not become a part of the unlawful activities and scams. What happen in New Mexico a few months back? Shouldn't that open some eyes?

The police chief also made it clear he used money seized from drug dealers, and not taxpayer money, to pay for his trip.

Um were those illegal drug dealers? If so then it was the taxpayer CHIEF..

I think the reporter was right, Obama invited "yes men".

Originally Posted by Newmexican

I think the reporter was right, Obama invited "yes men".

'Bama is the problem.
************************************************** ******************************
Americans first in this magnificent country

American jobs for American workers

Fair trade, not free trade

Villaseñor: Feds, not cops, must handle immigration


Fernanda Echavarri Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star
Posted: Saturday, April 23, 2011 12:00 am



Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor met with President Obama on Tuesday to discuss how to "fix the broken immigration issues," and told the president separations between the roles of local law enforcement and the federal government are necessary.

Villaseñor told a group of elected officials, law enforcement, and religious, business, labor and civil-rights leaders that local law enforcement should focus on solving crimes and serving the community.

"Any kind of policy that hinders the relationship between the public and police I view as a bad thing," said Villaseñor, the only representative from Arizona at the White House gathering.

Obama emphasized the need for reasonable reform, but said that any policies "need to combat the perception that violations of existing immigration laws are treated as freebies," Villaseñor said Friday.

The room leaned predominantly pro-immigration-reform, Villaseñor said, noting that his comments were well received and that SB 1070 never came up at the meeting.

From the early stages of SB 1070, Villaseñor has said parts of the law could lead to racial profiling but that he would enforce it if required by law.

"I am not saying that I'm an open-border person," he said. "But the federal government needs to secure the border, not TPD."

Since the signing of SB 1070 into law, the relationship between the Tucson Police Department and some community organizations has deteriorated, Villaseñor said, and he wanted to emphasize the negative effects of local police enforcing immigration laws.

Villaseñor said no city funds were used for his trip. It was paid for with seized drug money awarded by the courts to the department.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/a ... c86a3.html

Villaseñor said the President told the group he hopes to have a new policy in place within a year.

Only by executive order - Congress will not pass amnesty.

For the last time,nothing is broken!

And while Villaseñor said SB1070 was not a big part of the overall conversation, he does admit he stressed the importance that the President set policy that clearly mandates that federal agents, and not local police, enforce immigration laws.

How stupid does he think we are? Everyone knows there are not enough federal agents to do this job. Without the help of state and local law enforcement, the illegals are free to roam this country and the President knows it. He likes it that way.

Originally Posted by tinybobidaho

And while Villaseñor said SB1070 was not a big part of the overall conversation, he does admit he stressed the importance that the President set policy that clearly mandates that federal agents, and not local police, enforce immigration laws.

How stupid does he think we are? Everyone knows there are not enough federal agents to do this job. Without the help of state and local law enforcement, the illegals are free to roam this country and the President knows it. He likes it that way.

thats just it, this police chief does not want to enforce the laws on the books. he is of latino descent. that should tell ya all you need to know