Thread: Florida Immigration sweep leaves questions

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 26055/1015

Immigration sweep leaves questions
Originally posted on September 27, 2006


We strongly support enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, and we are certainly glad when criminals among them are removed from the streets and the country.

Control of our borders and deportation of those who have disregarded our laws is the starting point for getting a grip on an out-of-control immigration situation.

But the recent weeklong sweep in Lee and Collier counties that resulted in detention of 163 people has left some questions.

We need more information on how federal, state and local authorities mix the pursuit of criminals with the rounding up of illegal immigrants.

For criminals, we have no sympathy.

But only a minority of illegal immigrants are true criminals.

They have no right to be here legally, but should not be treated the same as criminals.

Immigration violations are civil infractions, after all, and not under criminal law.

Need information

Immigration and local law enforcement officials said they were after illegal immigrants who were wanted on criminal charges in “Operation Return to Sender.”

But only 26 of the detainees fit that bill.

Eighty-four were fugitive aliens, meaning they hadn’t complied with previous deportation orders. The other 53 were arrested on immigration violations such as overstaying a visa or entering the country illegally.

They will have hearings before an immigration judge.

Those with criminal histories or previous deportation orders might face immediate deportation.

Call for public scrutiny

Federal and other authorities should not allow legitimate crackdowns on crime to serve as strong-arm cover for what is really a roundup of illegal immigrants.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was quick to give details on an accused murderer from Italy and others charged with serious crimes.

But, were those detained all murderers or threats to society?

Were they your neighbors, good or bad employees, or your relatives?

We want to know who the illegal aliens were who were rounded up, and how their illegal status was established.

Federal and local officials should release their names to the public to allow for scrutiny.

We want to be assured that no one’s constitutional right prohibiting unreasonable search and seizure was trampled on and that officials took care to make sure that the people they rounded up indeed are supposed to be deported now.

Collier Sheriff Don Hunter said he participated with federal immigration authorities because he wanted his county to be safe from criminals, not because he wanted to conduct immigration raids.

Fine, but in effect, isn’t that what he did?

We want to be assured that no one’s constitutional right prohibiting unreasonable search and seizure was trampled on and that officials took care to make sure that the people they rounded up indeed are supposed to be deported now.

If they are in this country illegally they "indeed are supposed to be deported now".

Question...Do illegals in this country have Constitutional rights?

dlm1968 asked if illegals have constitutional rights. Yes they do have some constitutional rights. I think it is under the 4th Amnedment but will check and make sure.
If they are illegal then they should be sent back even if they did not commit any other crime.

Federal and other authorities should not allow legitimate crackdowns on crime to serve as strong-arm cover for what is really a roundup of illegal immigrants.

they were looking for criminals and found some incidentally, so should they ignore them? hell no! they may not be considered felons, but they should be charged for their "civil infractions" of violating immigration laws. why do these pansies think someone here illegally should be treated special if they don't commit any crimes after violating the law by coming here in the first place? They may not be "hardened" criminals, but they are still criminals in my book.

They are criminals in my book as well. First of all they are working illegally, most do not pay taxes, they often have fake ID, and many drive without a valid driver's license and insurance. All of the above is illegal. What would happen to an American citizen or resident if they worked and did not pay income tax? Yet they have the nerve to scream discrimination.