Thread: IL: Lake Co. vows to only deport worst criminals

Odd that a law officer has to explain that they will only deport the worst criminals. The last two paragraphs are telling. That if they did expand the program to lesser crimes the sheer volume would overwhelm the agency. So they are going to be released into our community. Isn't that just great...



Lake Co. vows to only deport worst criminals
By Russell Lissau | Daily Herald Staff

Published: 1/11/2008 12:57 PM

Lake County Homeland Security Director Wayne Hunter met with the county board today to clear up misconceptions about the sheriff's plan to give some jail officers deportation powers.

The controversial proposal would only allow corrections officers to start deportation paperwork for illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes, sex offenses, serious drug crimes and other severe crimes, Hunter said.

Jailed illegal immigrants convicted of lesser crimes would not be affected, nor would illegal immigrants without criminal records, he insisted. [red]So...they are going to be released back into the county?![/red]

Additionally, the sheriff's patrol deputies wouldn't be eligible for the program, Hunter insisted. Only six officers stationed at the jail would participate.

The 50-minute discussion during the morning's regularly scheduled committee-of-the-whole gathering prompted comments of support from some commissioners.

"When you get people breaking our laws, I say (you're) gone -- adios," board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt said.

Hunter's explanation also led board member Bob Sabonjian, who started the day as an outspoken opponent of the plan, to change his stance.

Although he first called the program "a tool of intimidation" against the county's Hispanic population, he later said he didn't object to the program if only more serious criminals are targeted.

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran last month announced plans to qualify six corrections officers for deportation powers available to U.S. police departments under a 1996 law. He's the first Illinois sheriff to apply for the powers.

Thousands of people protested the Waukegan city council's decision to seek the same powers last year. The sheriff's office hasn't faced that kind of public protest.

Under current rules, Lake County's corrections officers contact immigration officials whenever they come across an inmate who wasn't born in the U.S., has been in jail for at least four days and has been convicted of a felony or two misdemeanors.

It's then up to the federal agency to start deportation proceedings.

That would continue if the sheriff's proposal is approved, Hunter said. The six corrections officers only would be able to start deportation proceedings for more serious criminals, he said.

Expanding the program to illegal immigrants convicted of lesser crimes likely would overwhelm the federal agency, Hunter said.

"It is not practical to consider the deportation of the woman stealing baby food," Hunter said, referring to an hypothetical situation the board discussed. "They can't handle the sheer volume of the numbers."

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=111416

Fed Up:

This ought to be interesting. Then again there are few if any parts of Lake County that illegal aliens can afford to squat in. Can you see illegals setting up camp in one of those Lake Forest mansions?

Originally Posted by fedupinwaukegan

Odd that a law officer has to explain that they will only deport the worst criminals. The last two paragraphs are telling. That if they did expand the program to lesser crimes the sheer volume would overwhelm the agency. So they are going to be released into our community. Isn't that just great...

When you get people breaking our laws, I say (you're) gone -- adios," board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt said.

O silly me ! And I though just being here illegally is illegal and breaking out laws?

Jailed illegal immigrants convicted of lesser crimes would not be affected, nor would illegal immigrants without criminal records, he insisted.

De-facto amnesty! This is our federal government folks.

give love a chance. let the JBT's get a taste of correction, it'll all fall into place. nazi ss only wish they can have it so good, we all have to be carefull, you may get what you wish for. the aliens will peel on out, then what? then the JBT's try to mabe disarm the citizens???? gotta be somewhere t6o draw a line.

So much for no more catch and release...

Get ready folks, you are going to see more of this, this year is Bush and Chertoff's last year to get as much of their plan in place as they can before they leave office and that includes as many illegals as possible so they can get the NAU in place.

You know the more people they get in here the harder it is going to be to turn this around.

They are basically saying you are going to get this rather you like it or not.

Here is another article about this same meeting. Some of our county members have to go... they are putting the 'undocumented's' safety before citizens and legal immigrants. We won't forget.

Put two reporters at the same meeting and they come away with different stories. Just goes to show. I mean look at the title of this article.


ICE plan gets chilly reception

January 12, 2008
By JIM NEWTON jnewton@scn1.com

A presentation to the Lake County Board on the sheriff's office's application to receive certain immigration enforcement powers drew mixed reviews Friday.

Wayne Hunter, county director of homeland security, outlined the ramifications of the sheriff's application with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Lack of action

Currently, the Lake County Sheriff's Office notifies Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the illegal immigration status of inmates who are convicted of either one felony or two misdemeanors.

In 2006, the sheriff's office notified ICE about 431 such inmates, and ICE initiated deportation procedures against none of them, repeating a pattern from the past several years. County Director of Homeland Security Wayne Hunter attributed the lack of action to the agency being overwhelmed.

Initiating proceedings

If the sheriff's office receives 287 (g) status for six of its corrections officers, the same reporting process to ICE will continue, but the sheriff's office will be able to initiate deportation proceedings against inmates convicted of certain serious offenses outlined under a memo of understanding.

Hunter said the memo would likely specify deportation proceedings against those convicted of violent crimes, human smuggling, sex crimes, narcotics offenses and money laundering.

Board member Larry Leafblad of Grayslake asked Hunter how officials should respond to the perception that ICE designation involves "jack-booted thugs kicking down doors."

Hunter said the program will not involve immigration sweeps or unreasonable, heavy-handed tactics.

"This is not race-based or culture based," Hunter said. "It deals with individuals living in our community violating very serious laws."

Hunter also said that based on data from other law enforcement agencies that have received 287 (g) status, the county would likely save $100,000 a year in jail costs, primarily due to the reduction in recidivism.

The sheriff's application seeks 287 (g) status for six officers at County Jail. The status is not being sought for patrol officers.

Once granted, the authority would allow the designated officers to begin the data collection and paperwork necessary to begin the deportation process against inmates convicted of certain serious offenses.

Hunter said the sheriff's office would also receive sophisticated computers with direct links to ICE, allowing instant checks for resident status.

"That's straight ahead common-sense as far as I'm concerned," Leafblad said.

Board member Robert Sabonjian of Waukegan said he agrees with deporting serious felony offenders, but he questioned the impact the program could have on the entire community, especially in terms of assimilation and cooperation with police.

Board member Pam Newton of Vernon Hills said she doesn't want children and teens who should be in school afraid to attend "because they are scared they will be reported to the sheriff and deported."

Hunter acknowledged that the department is concerned about people being afraid to report crimes. He also said the department does not target students.

"We don't want people to be afraid to contact police or afraid to go to school because of immigration status," Hunter said. "If you are the victim of a crime, we do not care about your immigration status. If you are the perpetrator, we will make sure you do not victimize any of our residents again."

County Board Chairman Suzi Schmidt, who noted that her father and grandparents are Hispanic, expressed support for the program.

"My family has said 'illegals need to go. We waited to come into this country," she said. "When you get people breaking our laws, I say they're gone. Goodbye."

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

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http://www.alipac.us/article2861.html

Added to Home Page
http://www.alipac.us/article2861.html

Thanks for adding the Lake County 287g article to the homepage. I'm going to be working on the Lake County board next to try to get some action around here. Sounds like the board president is open to ideas as to what the rest of the country is doing. As far as the other liberals on the board - It took a long time for Waukegan to finally vote for 287g after my hounding, so I'm getting ready and as Bette Davis said; Fasten your seatbelt, it's going to be a bumpy night.

It's crazy -a near town, Evanston is becoming sanctuaryville. Wait a minute, that might be to Waukegan's advantage...

Originally Posted by draindog

give love a chance. let the JBT's get a taste of correction, it'll all fall into place. nazi ss only wish they can have it so good, we all have to be carefull, you may get what you wish for. the aliens will peel on out, then what? then the JBT's try to mabe disarm the citizens???? gotta be somewhere t6o draw a line.

Are you a troll? Your English is terrible.