Mesa police change immigration policy
July 3rd, 2008 @ 12:20pm
by Bob McClay and Kevin Tripp/KTAR

The Mesa City Council gave unanimous approval Thursday to a new Police Department policy under which all adults who are arrested will now be asked their immigration status.

After the 7-0 vote, Mayor Scott Smith acknowledged that some people will not be happy.

``It's not a popular decision because, once again, in the emotional nature of this argument, there are those who claim, `We can do this, we can do that, this is easy, this is straight-forward,'" Smith said. ``We recognize that in the real world, that is fantasy land, that is not reality."

Smith said the policy is a work in progress.

``We aren't under any illusion that this is a catch-all, cure-all, final solution to this issue," he said.

Mesa Police Chief George Gascon announced the policy Wednesday, saying it is similar to that of Phoenix police.

"We looked very closely at the Phoenix policy, we learned from some of their concerns. And I have worked with Chief Harris as well as, obviously, the mayor and some others," Gascon said, referring to his Phoenix counterpart, Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris.

Much like in Phoenix, officers who suspect someone of being in the country illegally will have to contact a supervisor before Immigration and Customs Enforcement is contacted.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has been at odds with Gascon over immigration policies, said he didn't know if the new policy had anything to do with the crime suppression sweep he conducted in Mesa last week.

``I don't know, I don't care. I will send a message out that we will be back to Mesa and continue to enforce all aspects of the illegal immigration laws."

Immigrants' rights activist Elias Bermudez condemned the policy.

``To me, it's unfortunate that different police departments are falling prey to the anti-immigrants' sentiment," said Bermudez, a leader of So Mos America.
The policy will discourage people from reporting crimes, Bermudez said.

``If you stop one person and question their legal status, that person is going to tell 100 people in the next breath, `Don't cooperate with the police because they are going to ask you your legal status.'"

The new policy will take effect after four months of officer training.

So you think they should fall prey to the illegal aliens that `JUST WANT TO WORK`, AND KILL AND RAPE AMERICANS.
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