Thread: TN-Sheriff Hall dismisses advisers on immigrant committee

Sheriff Daron Hall dismisses advisers on immigrant committee
Hall, members disagreed over deportation policy
By Chris Echegaray
June 27, 2010

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After three years, the Davidson County sheriff disbanded a group formed to advise him on how to operate a federal program designed to deport jail inmates who are illegal immigrants.

Sheriff Daron Hall said it was difficult to work with advocates who joined the advisory committee knowing they didn't agree with the 287(g) program's existence. He is looking for new members to form a group by fall.
"We did kind of lose our purpose as we moved along," Hall said. "But I believe in breathing new life in an advisory committee."
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement approved Davidson County's 287(g) program, named for a section of immigration law, in April 2007 and required Hall to set up the committee. That agreement was renewed last year without requiring it.

Hall said his relationship with his advisers was rocky from the beginning, with the committee's membership made up of people with a stark contrast in views. On one side was Hall, who implemented the federal program and believed changing it was not negotiable. And on the other side were activists who represented the county's wide array of residents, including refugees and immigrants, many of whom opposed 287(g) on its face.
Some of the council's discussions were leaked to the media. Nashville immigration attorney Elliott Ozment said Hall kicked him off the committee in 2008 after his candid comments on a local television program and critiquing the sheriff and his program.

"My experience was not a productive one," he said. "My experience was that the members gathered, we listened to the sheriff and we had our advice but it was not acted upon."

Polarizing positions held steady after the driving-related arrest of a pregnant woman who was shackled to a hospital bed in Nashville during portions of her labor. It made national headlines. Committee members wanted the sheriff to screen the more violent offenders, not immigrants arrested for traffic violations.

The sheriff maintained he was going to screen everyone in the jail, regardless of the charge.

Meanwhile, Davidson County continued to process people for deportation. Hall's office has checked the immigration status of more than 7,000 inmates since launching 287(g). Information about how many actually have been deported wasn't available last week.

Even though the renewed agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement doesn't require another committee, Hall insists it's the right thing to do. He just wants members to understand that 287(g) is in Davidson County to stay.

"People close to me are asking why do it again," Hall said. "My analogy is that it's like going to the dentist to prevent decay. … I'm of the opinion that if this has a controversial slant, I'm big enough to sit and discuss it."
Stephen Fotopulos, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, became a de facto member of the first group after he attended several meetings. Initially, Fotopulos declined to attend sessions because he felt it was like giving tacit approval of the program. In the end, he felt it was important to participate in good faith, but he doesn't think the new council will have an impact.

"It seems that the committee was mere window dressing," he said. "It's a good decision to have new faces, but changing the composition won't matter if the sheriff continues to ignore significant critiques of the program."


http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100 ... /1001/NEWS

When a leader (Sheriff) has a solution to a problem (287g), the goal is to be stated and an outline developed to define the process. A committee isn't really necessary.

However, if the solution to a problem is unknown, a committee may explore different options toward determining the best solution.

When open borders groups and certain ethnic groups have an agenda, and when they really oppose use of the 287g, you have the enemy in your camp. Sheriff Hall should just do his job, use the 287g, and tell the others that he is following the law, without their interference and troublemaking in the media.

Psalm 91

Yeah..I applaud the Sheriff for sticking to his guns that the 287 (G)program is here to stay but I do question the rationale of having an adviorsy commitee on it. What does he need advice on relating to the program?

What is the purpose of the committe and what does he expect their input to be that would have value as to the improved effectiveness of the program?

I would advise the Sheriff you are going to get two points of feedback from a commitee. 1. Those that support 287-G. 2. Those that do not support 287-G.

So knowing that what is its purpose having the committe that is going to have any value?

PatriotAZGuy wrote:

I would advise the Sheriff you are going to get two points of feedback from a commitee. 1. Those that support 287-G. 2. Those that do not support 287-G.

So knowing that what is its purpose having the committe that is going to have any value?

Exactly. Don't let the mischief makers have a seat at the table.

Psalm 91