Civil Rgts. Advocates Say Gwinnett Sheriffs Profiling Hispan
Atlanta
Civil Rights Advocates Say Gwinnett Sheriffs are Profiling Hispanics
Jonathan Shapiro (2010-03-23)
ATLANTA (WABE) - Today, the ACLU of Georgia released a report that accuses the Gwinnett Sheriff's office of racial profiling, particularly of Hispanics.
Since November, Gwinnett has participated in a controversial immigration program called 287g. It's a federal program that empowers local sheriffs to enforce immigration law in county jails. Civil rights advocates say 287g is an exercise in racial profiling and its making Gwinnett less safe.
Reverend Tracey Blajec of Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment say sheriffs are using their new authority to make immigration sweeps out of routine traffic stops.
"287g was created to deter to stop major crimes, drug crimes, murder..what they're doing is picking them up for minor driving offenses or driving without a license," says Blajec.
Blajec says sheriffs are arresting Hispanics and once in jail, using 287g to check their status and initiate the deportation process. She says tension is rising and it's making the Hispanic community reluctant to cooperate with local police.
Gwinnett sheriff Butch Conway declined to be interviewed, but in a written statement reiterated that sheriffs do not ask for status unless crimes have been committed.
Civi rights leaders throughout Atlanta are currently lobbying for the elimination of 287g and the adoption of new anti-racial-profiling laws.
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