Thread: House proposal troubles immigration advocates

http://elpasotimes.com/news/ci_4377354

Article Launched: 09/22/2006 12:00:00 AM MDT

House proposal troubles immigration advocates
By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times


Immigrants' advocates in El Paso were disappointed to see a bill pass the House Thursday that would empower local law enforcement officers to arrest undocumented immigrants, claiming it would keep immigrants from reporting crimes or asking for help.

"These policies will never work in our community. We have tried it before. It destroys the trust the community has in law enforcement," said Fernando Garcia, director of the Border Network for Human Rights.

In June, after months of controversy, El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego discontinued checkpoints in the county after residents complained that sheriff's deputies asked about their immigration status. Sheriff's officials said the checkpoints were run-of-the-mill driver license and insurance checkpoints.

Soon after the checkpoints were suspended, Garcia said, many immigrants, with and without documents, remained hesitant to report crimes to the sheriff's department and feared leaving their homes to attend church, work and school.

In August, the County Commissioners Court adopted a resolution calling on county employees not to single out people based on their immigration status.

The bill passed Thursday by the House reaffirms the authority of state and local police officers to arrest, detain and transfer undocumented immigrants to federal authorities when they come across these immigrants during normal police business.

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., defended the bill, for which he voted.

"We must recall that five of the 9/11 terrorists had violated the terms of their visas.ÊPolice had cited four of the five for speeding, one such incident having occurred on September 9, 2001.

Had laws existed at that time which allowed better coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, history might have been different," Pearce said.

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, voted against the bill, but yes on two other bills passed Thursday, one setting penalties for digging tunnels under the border and one prohibiting gang members from being admitted into the United States.

"Rather than charging our already overburdened local law enforcement with enforcing immigration law, which is a federal responsibility, we need to give the Department of Homeland Security the resources they need to do their job," he said on the floor of the House.

Being in the United States without the proper papers is not a crime but an administrative violation, unless the person had previously been formally deported from the United States. Federal agencies are responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Sheriff Samaniego said Thursday that he wanted to review the text of the bill before making a comment. El Paso Police Chief Richard Wiles testified to Congress this summer that he thinks police officers should not be confused with immigration officers because it could deter some crime victims from calling for help.

Louie Gilot may be reached at lgilot@elpasotimes.com, 546-6131.

Originally Posted by Brian503a

http://elpasotimes.com/news/ci_4377354

Article Launched: 09/22/2006 12:00:00 AM MDT

House proposal troubles immigration advocates
By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times



"These policies will never work in our community. We have tried it before. It destroys the trust the community has in law enforcement," said Fernando Garcia, director of the Border Network for Human Rights.

Well Mr fernando .... not enforcing our laws destroys my trust, as a citizen in our law enforcement and gov officials.



Soon after the checkpoints were suspended, Garcia said, many immigrants, with and without documents, remained hesitant to report crimes to the sheriff's department and feared leaving their homes to attend church, work and school.

I find it amusing .. immigrants "with" documents afraid to leave their homes ... what does that tell you about there assimilation attempts ?
It tells you where their loyalties really lay in that they probably still cannot speak a lick of english.
As for undocumenteds fearing leaving their homes?? they SHOULD NOT have homes to fear leaving !!


In August, the County Commissioners Court adopted a resolution calling on county employees not to single out people based on their immigration status.

Those county commissioners need to be replaced with "American" non communist representatives

.

Compare the lucid prose of Rep Pearce to the Orwellian BS
from Fernando Garcia. Basically, Garcia says if the police try
to enforce valid licenses & insurance, then criminals will be
afraid to drive or call the police!!!! Duh!!!

Being in the United States without the proper papers is not a crime but an administrative violation, unless the person had previously been formally deported from the United States.

These folk just say whatever comes to mind, they have no interest in the honesty or the truth. Illegal immigration is a federal crime, it IS NOT an administrative violation (whatever that is).

Illegal Immigration is a Crime

Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," any citizen of any country other than the United States who:

Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or

Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or

Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact;
has committed a federal crime.

Violations are punishable by criminal fines and imprisonment for up to six months. Repeat offenses can bring up to two years in prison. Additional civil fines may be imposed at the discretion of immigration judges, but civil fines do not negate the criminal sanctions or nature of the offense.

See: Unlawful entry a crime since '29 - Rocky Mountain News -- June 11, 2006

http://www.americanpatrol.com/REFERENCE/isacrime.html