Chairman blasts feds over illegals

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 1:18 AM EDT

By Kelly Brooks

Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

MARIETTA - Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens on Monday blasted the federal government for its "ineptitude" in blocking action to crack down on illegal immigration.

Olens and Cobb's four commissioners are expected to discuss code amendments that address illegal immigration in the county during a 9 a.m. public hearing at today's commission meeting.

The chairman's comments came during a luncheon hosted by the nonpartisan Madison Forum, an organization that Chairman Michael Optiz leads that is open to those "interested in rational, thoughtful discussion regarding issues."


"We all know that until the federal government makes moves to secure the border, it's easier said than done," Olens said.

Olens said he could have chosen a less controversial topic, but he intentionally chose not to veer away from immigration.

For now, he said Cobb's early compliance with state Senate Bill 529 -Georgia's Immigration Compliance Act - and code changes that limit the number of unrelated individuals living in one home are part of the county's effort to "deal with the problem."

Cobb officials also will consider a code amendment that legally defines related individuals who can live under one roof and sets a maximum number.

In October 2006, Cobb commissioners endorsed Sheriff Neil Warren's application for deputies to participate in federal training for Section 287(g) of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act that permits local law enforcement to identify, process and detain immigration offenders.

The program, Olens said, is a step in the right direction, but still is not enough, as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement doesn't detain illegal immigrants until after they serve their sentences for crimes they are convicted of in the United States.

Olens said he is "not too thrilled" to pay to house illegal immigrants in Cobb's jail, which already is overcrowded and set for a multimillion dollar expansion.


But east Cobb illegal immigration activist D.A. King, who attended Monday's luncheon and last fall held a "peaceful and respectful" rally to call on commissioners to look into a federal pilot program for businesses to search employment eligibility of potential workers, said the program's great benefit is its deterrence factor.

"My frustration is that they don't go to ICE until after their sentence," Olens said in response, noting the commission did endorse 287(g).

"If an illegal immigrant is convicted of a crime, they should go to ICE the next day."

For now, Olens said, the sheriff's office and police department are spending an "awful lot of time on illegal immigration," instances of which have arisen through police checkpoints and the January-formed Quality-of-Life unit that teams two code enforcement officers with three police officers in statistically high-crime areas.

Olens said the vulnerability of illegal immigrants also has made them a target for crime.

"It's become a sport to go after Hispanics to rob from on the street," he said, noting a 29 percent reduction in residential burglaries but an increase in street robberies.

Olens also said a county initiative needs to further ensure that boards and authorities have a percentage of Hispanic participants reflective of the legal Hispanic immigrant population, something Cobb has previously done with African Americans.

"You do want your work force to be representative of your county," he said, noting that quotas would not be used.

Luncheon attendant Wayne Brown said only an estimated 30 percent of the Cobb Hispanic population, which totals about 40,000 of roughly 700,000 in the county, are legal residents and asked if illegals would be included in that representation.

"I'm talking legals," Olens said, noting an increase in county hires and appointments within the past couple of years. "We know we're close to that percent."

Olens said a particular need exists for bilingual public safety officers who can aid immigrants - legal or illegal - in emergencies.

"I need bilingual fireman," he said. "I need bilingual officers."

If a bilingual citizen becomes a police officer, "That's a real plus."

http://www.mdjonline.com/articles/2007/ ... 265299.txt