Anti-illegal immigrant groups target LA police


LA police prohibited to ask suspects' immigration status


By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

LOS ANGELES -- A Los Angeles police policy that prohibits officers from asking suspects about their immigration status is being targeted by anti-illegal immigrant activists. (Sounds like California is almost lost to Mexico)

Activists have filed two lawsuits seeking to throw out the policy, known as Special Order 40, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

The city's police chief and mayor support the policy, which they say encourages members of Los Angeles' many immigrant communities to cooperate with police without fearing deportation.

"Requiring our police officers to double as immigration agents will result in fewer arrests, prosecutions and convictions," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told the Times.

But activists suing to get rid of Special Order 40 say it limits police officers' ability to do their job.

"It handcuffs police officers' ability to ensure law and order in the city," Sterling Norris, an attorney for Judicial Watch, one of the organizations suing over the policy, told the Times.



http://wpherald.com/articles/4223/1/Ant ... tatus.html