Thread: Waukegan stays course on immigration protest

Waukegan stays course on immigration protest
(July 5, 2007

BY CRAIG PETERSON Associated Press

WAUKEGAN -- Monday's passionate demonstration opposing the city's intention to enforce federal immigration laws did not appear to change the City Council's position, at least not initially.

And a local church's promissary contract on enforcement was characterized by the mayor as status quo.

"Everything stipulated here we've already been doing for years," he said.

However, there will be a lot of time to consider the issue due to the failure of the federal government to pass immigration reform legislation, Mayor Richard Hyde said after the council meeting, when about two dozen people addressed the council on that matter.

Hyde said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has ruled out approving any 287(g) certification applications for local law enforcement authorities until an immigration reform bill is made into law. Considering the recent failures by Congress to do that, Hyde said, reform will probably not occur until a new president is elected.

"As of right now, there is no immigration bill (passed)," he said. "If our application goes in, (which would require another vote of the City Council) it's going to sit there. ... We won't be certified for at least 1½ years."

Hyde, as well as a couple aldermen who spoke on the issue near the end of the meeting, understood a number of the concerns raised by citizens who spoke, given the history of immigration enforcement, the city's history of discrimination against Latinos -- the city lost a federal discrimination lawsuit in the late 1990s -- and the oppressive and corrupt nature of law enforcement in Mexico, which many of the protesting immigrants fled.

Putting himself in their shoes, Hyde said, "I would be concerned, too."

But just as the United States has a different justice system than Mexico, it is also a different time in Waukegan, he said. Even under the threat of economic and political boycotts, Hyde and city attorney Brian Grach said the city will pursue 287(g) certification because it is an effective way of removing dangerous criminals from Waukegan. The 287(g) provision allows certified local police officers to deport legal or illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes.

Hyde pointed out that the city already takes steps to deport tserious criminals who are immigrants.

"We're doing it now," he said.

Grach said local law enforcement is required to report these crimes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but 287(g) will expedite the process.

In what amounts to a promissary contract not to abuse 287(g) authority, Hyde signed an agreement with Holy Family Church priest Gary Graf, whose congregation includes a significant population of Latino immigrants, which lists a number of restrictions and limitations the city will abide by in enforcing immigration laws. They include a list of specific major crimes that will be grounds for deportation, a commitment not to enter private homes for purely immigration law enforcement, and will not condone ICE raids in the city.

Entering into this agreement did not require City Council action because there are no changes in the current law enforcement policies and procedures, Hyde said.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article

sounds like DHS is not helping the states enforce immigration laws. All states need to do something. Even if a comprehensive immigration reform is passed, without a fence to control our borders, we are going to continue to get illegals pouring into the country and the problems are only going to get worst unless states and local governments start enforcing the laws and judges uphold their right to do so.

Hyde said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has ruled out approving any 287(g) certification applications for local law enforcement authorities until an immigration reform bill is made into law. Considering the recent failures by Congress to do that, Hyde said, reform will probably not occur until a new president is elected.

"As of right now, there is no immigration bill (passed)," he said. "If our application goes in, (which would require another vote of the City Council) it's going to sit there. ... We won't be certified for at least 1½ years."

287(g) was a tool placed in law under recommendation of the 911 Commission. This was done because the terrorists responsible for 911 had been apprehended by police who failed to retain the terrorists on immigration violations. Time to notify your Congress people that Chertoff is refusing to secure the Homeland.

Hyde said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has ruled out approving any 287(g) certification applications for local law enforcement authorities until an immigration reform bill is made into law. Considering the recent failures by Congress to do that, Hyde said, reform will probably not occur until a new president is elected.

"As of right now, there is no immigration bill (passed)," he said. "If our application goes in, (which would require another vote of the City Council) it's going to sit there. ... We won't be certified for at least 1½ years."

This must be a mistake! Can anyone verify this? If it's true, why hasn't our Congress jumped on these with both feet? Does Chertoff have the authority to suspend a program that has been authorized by the U.S. Congress?

If this can be verified, Lou Dobbs and anyone else that has the resources to spread the word to the masses needs notified.