Thread: IAs in Phoenix police shooting had run-ins with the law last

Phoenix New Times
Illegal immigrants in Phoenix police shooting had run-ins with the law last year
Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 01:27:28 PM
By Ray Stern

Following a rancorous public debate, the Phoenix Police Department last month toughened its policy toward illegal immigrants, allowing cops to report people to tederal immigration authorities far more often than before.

But Phoenix officers still can’t ask about immigration status during routine traffic stops.

The Phoenix police union and various anti-illegal-immigrant groups want police to have that power, but Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris and Mayor Phil Gordon don’t. They claim that it would lead to inefficient police work – officers would waste their time doing a job that should be left to immigration agents, while other types of law enforcement would be neglected.

Maybe so.

Then again, it might also lead to fewer officers being shot at.

On Tuesday, two men were arrested after a marked Phoenix police car came under fire. Bullet holes were later found in the car’s roof and on its passenger side, but neither of the two officers inside was hurt.

Illegal immigration opponents have already made hay with the fact that both men, Juan Beltran Nunez, 29, and Ricardo Hurtado, 24, were in the country illegally.

Juan Beltran Nunez (left) and Ricardo Hurtado.But under a different police policy, Nunez, the alleged shooter, could well have been deported last year -- after he was stopped by Phoenix police and cited with traffic violations.

Court records show that when Nunez was stopped last year, he had no proof of insurance, no vehicle registration and no valid driver’s license, but Phoenix police are prohibited by department policy from asking about immigration status during traffic stops. So Nunez was sent on his way. A warrant was issued for his arrest in September after he blew off the penalties for his tickets.

Mark Spencer, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, says Nunez’s case is exactly why the police union still believes the recent policy change didn't go far enough.

This isn't to say that rank-and-file officers who make up the union’s members don't appreciate the new policy toward illegal immigrants, Spencer says. “It’s a lot different than the ‘will-not-call-ICE’â€

Thanks for using tinyurl populist. Much easier for my tired old eyes to read.

You're welcome Gogo. Just started using this for long URL's and hope it works ok.

It works. I always preview my post and if you're not sure make sure you preview with the "tinyurl" and click on it and you be sure if its working right. I've bookmarked the "tinyurl" site and its so fast and easy.

hey Mayor Gordon---

How many more of your officers have to be shot at or killed before you realize that your not doing enough? that your not allowing your officers to detain, arrest and turn over to ICE illegal aliens.
There is a reason the people of Phoenix are getting a recall against you going. its for this very reason......... MORON
The citizens have spoken and ask you save the lives of other officers so that another one isnt murdered by an illegal.
When are you going to wake the F-*- UP?

Hurtado was busted last year for vehicle theft and possession of burglary tools. He was sentenced to probation, and court records show that he was ordered to never return to the United States following deportation.

But he apparently wasn’t deported. Or if he was, he sneaked back. New Times has requested more information about him from ICE. Either way, it looks like another example of the country's failed immigration policy.

#1- How can an illegal immigrant be sentenced to PROBATION? Are illegal aliens eligible for that privlege?
#2- The country doesnt have a "failed immigration policy". We just have people "who fail our country" by not enforcing the immigration policy.

Butterbean, it sounds like this is a violation of state law as well, but I guess if no one ever established he was an illegal, it was just lack of justice as usual...