Thread: Lake County: A sheriff's courage on deportations

A sheriff's courage on deportations
Published: 9/20/2008 10:19 PM

No matter what your ideological point of view may be, it's hard to argue with the statistics Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran trotted out last week.

As he reiterated his calls for deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes, Curran said a recent audit by agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) found that 122 of the county jail's 637 inmates had questionable or illegal entry status.

That amounts to 21.5 percent of the jail population, and if that number were constant throughout the year, the annual dollar cost to house and keep those inmates would amount to as much as $4 million.

To be sure, there is some danger in Curran's campaign.

It is possible for some to wrongly draw the conclusion from his remarks that the community of illegal immigrants is one marked by crime and lawlessness. That's a scurrilous stereotype that simply isn't true.

The vast majority of undocumented immigrants have come to America to make a better life for themselves and their families just as immigrants have done in the United States for generations.

But as with virtually any community, there also is a criminal element, and we see nothing illogical about pursuing deportation proceedings against those who come to this country illegally and then commit a crime.

While there is a danger of racial and ethnic profiling in Curran's campaign that must be guarded against, there is perhaps an even greater danger in a hands-off attitude that seems so fashionable on the other side of the debate over illegal immigration.

In his remarks last week, Curran criticized politicians in Chicago and the state of Illinois who "have shown little interest in cooperating with ICE, choosing instead to ignore the problem or pander to special interest groups or their sympathizers."

It took no small amount of political courage for Curran to raise that charge, and he immediately received a return volley from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley who told the Chicago Tribune, "Many of the people who come here, when they arrive here, they're all working.

"I hope Congress and the federal government really protects them in some capacity," Daley said. "That is not the role of the Chicago Police Department, your legal status. I mean, their role is to serve and protect."

As much as we admire Daley on many scores, on this one, he is tragically off base. His remarks illustrate clearly the accuracy of Curran's criticism.

It is no affront to the hard-work ethic of the majority of illegal immigrants to deport those who commit crimes. It's not even central to the debate over illegal immigration. It's clear logic.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236330

Here is an article from Rosanna Pulido/You don't speak for me. She also spoke at the press conference. I am so encouraged as to what she has to say about Lake County and even Illinois.


Lake County Sheriff's 287G Press Conference

by Rosanna Pulido

Thursday Sept 18Th 2008 history was made in Illinois! (Watch the You-tube link) Sheriff Mark Curran broke the news that will change the face of Illinois. 287G is a program that gives local Police and Sheriff's departments tools to deal with the 12-20 million illegal aliens who have come to the United States. 287G has been highly successful in Florida, Alabama and Prince Williams County Virginia just to name a few!

Just one year ago Prince Williams County enacted 287G and here we are a year later and do you want to know what they are reporting? Two weeks ago on Capitol Hill, PW County Commissioner Corey Stewart testified that the homicide rate is down 43% ( Do you think we could use a 43% drop in the homicide rate in Sanctuary City Chicago, where King Richard resides?)

This whole event is really Bitter-Sweet, Let me tell you WHY! While I am thrilled for the people who reside in Lake County, that they have a Sheriff that "Gets It!" That it is INFACT his job to protect law-abiding citizens who voted him into office, I fear for the people in Cook, McHenry and Winnebago counties. The rest of the story and the facts are as follows........ While the homicide rates went down in Prince Williams County that enacted 287G the SURROUNDING COUNTIES had a great RISE in Homicides and other crimes!

So while illegal alien criminals flee from justice in Lake County, I suggest all of the surrounding counties get ready for the inevitable. One horrible example of the consequences of a county without the 287G is the story of Schanna Gayden. A thirteen year old rising star who lived in Humbolt Park (Luis Gutierrez district) she was killed by an illegal alien who was previously arrested 27 times and Chicago did NOTHING. Maybe this is what Mayor Daley means by hardworking immigrants, this illegal alien worked hard to escape justice. Mayor Daley and Luis Gutierrez and Sheriff Tom Dart are working hard to spin the story and take the responsibility off of themselves. The Truth is these public officials have blood on their hands folks.

Most news outlets missed some other important news that took place at the Press Conference. Illinois Representative Randy Ramey is looking to enact OKLAHOMA 1804 (Taxpayers Protection Act What a Concept!) legislation in Illinois! This is the same legislation that has freed Oklahoma from the strangle hold illegal immigration had on the state, Now they are the envy of all America!

One final note. In this day of Political Correctness, Sheriff's and State Representatives can get their share of being called the "R" word because they are standing up for what is right. So remember, send Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran and Illinois State Rep Randy Ramey your heart felt appreciation for their leadership in and e-mail!


http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illin ... y-287.html