Thread: Council Holds its Ground

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Council holds its ground

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

July 17, 2007

BY CRAIG PETERSON Associated Press

WAUKEGAN -- In the face of unprecedented protest, the City Council stayed its ground Monday night and voted to continue the application process for federal authority to deport immigrants convicted of serious crimes.

Mayor Richard Hyde also voted, stating he was voting with aldermen for the first time in his tenure because of misinformation given to the Hispanic community.

Basically, he said this is a matter of speeding up the paperwork to deport criminals.

"I want these people off the streets," Hyde said.

"We're not going to enforce any more laws than we enforce already."

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

They must have added to the article later.~~~

Waukegan firm on deportation of alien offenders

July 17, 2007
By Craig Peterson waukegan news sun
WAUKEGAN -- In the face of unprecedented protest, the City Council stood its ground Monday night and voted to continue the application process for federal authority to deport immigrants convicted of serious crimes.

Mayor Richard Hyde said he was voting with aldermen for the first time in his tenure because of misinformation given to the Hispanic community. He said this is a matter of speeding up the paperwork to deport criminals.

"I want these people off the streets," Hyde said. "We're not going to enforce any more laws than we enforce already."

The vote to reconsider the application was 8-2 to continue the process, with 1st Ward Ald. Sam Cunningham and 4th Ward Ald. Tony Figueroa dissenting.

"I am opposed to illegal immigration," Figueroa said. "But I am also opposed to demonizing immigrants."

Echoing nearly every alderman, Figueroa said, "Our federal government had the opportunity to resolve this issue, but they didn't. Now Waukegan is the lightning rod for the whole United States. 287(g) (the use of federal authority) is not the answer."

"The problems we have today did not start a month ago," said Second Ward Alderman John Balen. "This has been building up for 12 to 14 years. There is a lot of smoldering resentment in this community.

"If we don't obey the law, we really don't have a country."

Ninth Ward Ald. Rafael Rivera based his vote on the belief that if it takes one criminal off the streets of Waukegan faster, it's worth it.

In an attempt to allay fears that the city will abuse its authority, 7th Ward Ald. Patrick Needham said, "Not one of us will tolerate any abuse in enforcing 287(g)."

Alluding to Waukegan's lowest crime rate, compared to other cities in the region, 8th Ward Ald. Richard Larsen said this was a matter of promoting public safety for Waukegan residents.

"It's not an issue of federal rights or citizen rights, it's enforcing the rights of Waukegan citizens," Larsen said.

Third Ward Ald. Greg Moisio took issue with Latino activists from Chicago who spurred the opposition to 287(g).

"I represent Waukegan," he said.

"Waukegan will work this out ... Outside agitators were just here for face time (on camera)."


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