Thread: Butler Co. Sheriff Asks State Leaders For Immigration Reform

Butler Co. Sheriff Asks State Leaders For Immigration Reform
Posted: Nov 15, 2007 08:23 AM EST
Updated: Nov 15, 2007 08:24 AM EST

http://www.fox19.com/global/story.asp?s=7364086

Text Of Letter Sent From Sheriff Jones To State Legals
November 14, 2007

I am sending you a copy of a news article that appeared today in the Hamilton Journal News, Hamilton, Ohio. It is has to do with a survey that was taken by Quinnipiac University on different issues that some Ohio residents have expressed their opinion on about illegal aliens in our state.

State Representative Courtney Combs and State Senator Gary Cates are trying to get the Ohio House of Representatives, Ohio House of Senators and their leadership, which includes you, to get legislation on the illegal aliens issue through the house.

This recent survey shows, which we already knew, that an overwhelmingly large amount of citizens in Ohio want something done about the influx of and burden illegal aliens are placing on society, our economy and limited resources. Stopping the flow of illegal aliens will also stop or slow down the criminal activity they become involved in.

It appears that you, in the leadership position, have no desire to see that this happens. I have contacted F.A.I.R. (Federation for Immigration Reform) today to see if they would be willing to take on the role of initiating a state ballot issue to force our legislators to do what the people have wanted done for over two years.

Unfortunately, I do not expect a response from your office in regards to this letter.

/s/ Richard K. Jones

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Instead of waiting for lawmakers to reform immigration, people in Ohio may be able to vote on the issues themselves if a local sheriff has his way.

FOX19's Chris Shaw has more on this controversial idea from the Butler County Sheriff.

From the same sheriff who put up billboards and a sign outside his jail warning people about illegal immigrants comes this.

A letter he sent to state lawmakers Wednesday that details a new plan. A plan some people can't wait to vote for.

"He's taking every angle I think you can take in regards to this issue," said Bill Barnhill with Citizens for Legal Communities.

Which is why you're seeing smiles right now at the Citizens for Legal Communities Meeting.

The group formed last year after Kevin Barnhill was murdered in a Mason bar parking lot by illegal immigrants. Since then this small group has been begging state lawmakers to get tough on illegals.

Wednesday, Butler County sheriff Richard Jones finally got sick of waiting for action from the capital.

"We're trying to get this on the ballot, to be a ballot issue. So we can go around them. If they don't want to do what the people elected them to do, we'll go around them," said Jones.

He said as much in a letter saying he's working with a national immigration reform group to get signatures for a ballot referendum.

But there's one problem.

"I don't even really know if that's constitutional," said Ana Mallen with LULCAC.

Neither does the sheriff right now.

But in light of busts like this summer's raid at Koch Foods, he wants voters to decide if local police can enforce federal immigration law, and if employers should face tougher penalties for hiring illegals.

"Local governments have tried to create ordinances to enforce immigration law. And those ordinances have been challenged in the courts in different areas of the country and always the courts have decided that immigration law falls to the federal government," said Mallen.

Which is why some say this plan is just the sheriff grandstanding.

"You call it what you like, this isn't for sissies. You have to be strong, you have to be willing to stand up and I get hired and fired every four years. My constituents like what I have to say," said Jones.

Kevin Barnhill's father not only likes it, he and his group are determined to see immigration change no matter how it happens.

FOX19.com staff

http://www.fox19.com/global/story.asp?s=7364086



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Sheriff wants immigration reform on ballot
Jones' letter accuses state leaders of inaction.
Staff Writer

Thursday, November 15, 2007
www.journal-news.com


HAMILTON — Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said senior state leaders are doing little to address immigration issues, and he wants a ballot initiative to force lawmakers to act.

In an open letter to Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris, Jones chided the lawmakers. He referenced a recent study that found citizens overwhelmingly favor immigration reform.

Jones, who has long advocated stricter immigration laws, said he contacted the Federation for American Immigration Reform to see if the Washington D.C.-based non-profit would push for a ballot issue.

But if he wants an initiative, he may have to do it himself, according to FAIR.

"That doesn't sound like something we ordinarily do," said FAIR project director Jack Martin.

Jones' letter urged the General Assembly leaders to join state Rep. Courtney Combs and state Sen. Gary Cates in passing immigration reform measures.

Husted Spokeswoman Karen Tabor said the speaker hadn't seen the letter, but that "we've addressed this (immigration reform) in the past, and we'll continue to."

She said the House recently cut access to Medicaid for illegal immigrants, for example.

But Combs said Husted has already pigeon-holed his House Bill 308, which bars illegal aliens from getting driver's licenses, in-state college tuition and social services.

Combs said he doesn't favor a ballot issue, but would, "if leadership and the state of Ohio will not go forward with a bill that 80 percent of the people are in favor of."

Cates, on the other hand, said he expects full support from state leaders next week on a bill to allow local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws at federal officials' request.

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