Thread: Callers support Irving's deportation policy

Many disagree with those who oppose increased deportations

04:41 AM CDT on Friday, September 28, 2007
By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News
bformby@dallasnews.com

The phone calls started pouring in at Irving City Hall on Thursday morning.

They were prompted by activists who implored a crowd of more than 1,000 people at a rally Wednesday night to call for an end to a program that turns over arrested illegal immigrants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But most callers weren't asking for an end to the program – they were voicing their support.

"It was ringing over and over, and by far, the biggest percent was in favor," City Secretary Janice Carroll said Thursday afternoon.

Irving police last year began using what's called the 24/7 Criminal Alien Program. It provides for around-the-clock communication with federal authorities and is designed to detain illegal immigrants who have been accused of a crime. It's the latest tool being used by local governments in the absence of a federal overhaul of immigration laws. So far, Irving police have turned over more than 1,600 people to immigration officials.

Mayor Herbert Gears estimates that about 300 people in Irving are being turned over each month – more than in any other city in the nation. He said city officials are obligated to uphold the law and will continue to use the program, which is available to any city that wishes to participate.

"Of the 200 e-mails I've read so far, one is negative and all the rest are positive," Mr. Gears said Thursday afternoon. "People are very overwhelmingly supporting what we are doing."

Carlos Quintanilla, a Hispanic activist and an organizer of Wednesday's rally, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Two supporters of the program were arrested Wednesday night after being accused of assaulting Hispanics in the crowd. Police said Teresa Williams, 61, was charged with assault and failure to identify herself, both Class C misdemeanors. She posted a $728 bond and was released.

"I think as an American citizen, I have no rights whatsoever," she said as she was being arrested at the rally. She could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Police said Jerry Grayson, 62, was also charged with misdemeanor assault. He posted a $460 bond and was released. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Victor Acosta of Irving said Mr. Grayson grabbed him as police were escorting Mr. Grayson out of the crowd. As he bled from scratches on his neck, Mr. Acosta said police treat white people differently than they do minorities.

"If it was a Hispanic or black guy, he would have gotten beat down," Mr. Acosta said of how police handled Mr. Grayson's arrest.

Irving police have used the program for more than a year, but opponents and supporters have grown more vocal in reaction to recent publicity about the growing number of people Irving police hand over to federal officials for deportation each month.

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