Thread: Initiative language OK'd on enforcing migrant law

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... e0727.html

Initiative language OK'd on enforcing migrant law

Monica Alonzo-Dunsmoor
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 27, 2006 12:00 AM

PHOENIX - City officials Wednesday approved the ballot language for a proposed initiative that asks voters whether they want city officials, including police officers, to enforce federal immigration laws.

The measure has not yet been certified to appear on the November ballot, but the City Council had to meet a Wednesday deadline to submit the ballot information to the county.

"It doesn't mean it's a final thing," City Clerk Mario Paniagua said. His office has until Aug. 3 to verify if there are at least 14,844 valid signatures in support of the initiative.

Randy Pullen, leading a group called Protect our City, submitted more than 21,000 signatures for the measure. Pullen was also the main proponent of Proposition 200. That voter-approved measure aims to restrict certain public benefits to undocumented immigrants.

If the proposal qualifies for the ballot, voters will consider a proposition that:

• Would "require all officials, agencies, and personnel of the city of Phoenix, including the Phoenix Police Department, to cooperate with and assist federal immigration authorities in enforcing immigration laws within the boundaries of the city."

• States that "no official, personnel or agent of the city . . . will be prohibited or in any way restricted from sending, receiving, or maintaining information regarding the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual, or exchanging such information with any other federal, state or local government entity."

• Would require Phoenix to "enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security to designate police officers as immigration officers qualified to investigate, apprehend, and detain aliens in the United States."

"They say they just don't have any police officers to spare to deal with illegal immigration," Pullen said. "But the mayor has said they've found 186 police officers to work on those serial-killer cases without impacting normal police operations. It seems like when they need to find officers, they can find them. But when it doesn't fit their political reasons, they can't find them."

Mayor Phil Gordon believes Pullen is the one playing politics.

"Our chief of police has told me he wanted more officers to catch the Baseline Rapist and serial killer, not to check the IDs of every restaurant worker in town," Gordon said.

Mayor Phil Gordon believes Pullen is the one playing politics.

"Our chief of police has told me he wanted more officers to catch the Baseline Rapist and serial killer, not to check the IDs of every restaurant worker in town," Gordon said.

What an absolutely ridiculous statement! You would think that the mayor of Phoenix would be aware of all the increased crime, gang activity, overcrowded schools, bankrupt hospitals, bulging prisons, etc. I just HAD to write him a letter!

Contact Information for Mayor Phil Gordon
City of Phoenix, Mayor's Office
200 W. Washington St., 11th floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 262-7111
Fax: (602) 495-5583
Email: mayor.gordon@phoenix.gov
TTY: (602) 534-5000

Mr. Mayor,

In the July 27th Arizona Republic you were quoted as saying, "Our chief of police has told me he wanted more officers to catch the Baseline Rapist and serial killer, not to check the IDs of every restaurant worker in town." This in response to the ballot initiative introduced by Mr. Randy Pullen.

Don't you think that's just a little 'over the top'? Has anyone proposed accosting busboys and cooks?

As Mayor of Phoenix, I'm sure you are aware of the increased crime, gang activity, overcrowded schools, bankrupted hospitals, bulging prisons, etc., that has been attributed to the massive increase in the number of illegal aliens passing through or living in your city.

Illegal immigration is a thorny issue for politicians, especially in 'border states'. You are immediately put in a quandary whenever the subject comes up.

Do you support the rule of law and the value of American citizenship, or do you pander to race?

Do you listen to the overwhelming majority of LEGAL voters(Hispanics included), or special-interest organizations like MALDEF and La Raza?

Do you stand for what is right, or what is convenient?

Sadly, comments like this clearly show in who's camp you've pitched your tent. May the rest of your political career be short and unpleasant.

Sincerely,
XXXXXXXXXX

Don't mince words pinestraw.