Thread: 'ILLEGAL' CRIME:the dog lover

http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/editorials...813511,00.html

Two heinous crimes, allegedly committed by illegal aliens, highlighted the glaring gaps in our immigration system — and the risks to people and dogs on the Treasure Coast.

Hernan Cortes, 32, of Fellsmere, was arrested in St. Lucie County and charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of another presumed illegal immigrant, whose identity remains unknown. A week after the shooting, authorities still couldn't confirm Cortes' immigration status either. Finally, on June 22, federal officials slapped a "detainer" on him, meaning he is subject to deportation...after the courts are done with him.

Meantime, in Stuart, Junio Trenta, 31, of Indiantown, was arrested and charged with having intercourse with a dog in the woods off Dixie Highway. This wasn't Trenta's first bust; he spent 28 days in jail last year after pleading no contest to an Orange County misdemeanor larceny charge.

The way the system works — or is supposed to work — is for immigration authorities to lock down illegal aliens charged with felonies. Apparently, Trenta's 2005 misdemeanor didn't merit anyone's attention, as he was free to traipse down to the Treasure Coast. Ditto for Cortes, who said he's lived in Fellsmere for the past nine years.

The men's alleged crimes may be sensational, but their treatment is far from unusual. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement admits that it checks the legal status of only about six of 10 immigrants who commit crimes serious enough to land them in prison.

And plenty of them are behind bars. In 2004, the latest year for which figures are available, local jails and state prisons housed 12,449 illegal aliens around Florida. The U.S. Justice Department reported 270,000 illegals were incarcerated for various crimes in this country.

All of which prompted former Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm to tell The New York Times: "We've got enough of our homegrown criminals. Why are we importing more?"

I better not let the real Mountaindog see this one, I know what he would want to do!