Thread: No haven for illegals in Modesto

No haven for illegals in Modesto

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July 11, 2007

By EVE HIGHTOWER
ehightower@modbee.com

Modesto will not become the immigrant sanctuary proposed by the Modesto chapter of the Brown Berets.

The Latino rights group asked City Council members Tuesday night to pass an ordinance that would:


Stop county staff from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Stop law enforcement from asking about people's legal status

Require county staff or law enforcement to notify the Brown Berets and other community groups when federal agents are in the area so the groups can advise illegal immigrants.
The Brown Berets grew out of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The local group's motto is "Culture, Community, Revolution."

Council members' decision not to take action on the proposal was no surprise to the 20 Brown Berets members and supporters who attended the meeting, organizer Ricardo Gil Jr. said. But the group intends to continue fighting for sanctuary status.

"We'll regroup and come back," Gil said after Tuesday's meeting.

The Brown Berets first took the proposal to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors. County CEO Rick Robinson also declined to consider the group's request, encouraging the Brown Berets to work with federal representatives instead.

In not taking action Tuesday night, City Council members also noted that immigration is a federal issue, not a city issue.

"I have no interest in overstepping our bounds," Councilwoman Kristin Olsen said.

Other cities have taken a stand on immigration. San Francisco and Oakland have declared themselves sanctuaries for 21 years by barring city staff from assisting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in search of illegal immigrants.

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Denver are among a growing list of cities that claim immigrant sanctuary status by, to some extent, protecting immigrants that some call "illegal" and others call "undocumented."

Joan Rutschow shook her head at the idea of Modesto adopting something similar. "We're not a nation of immigrants. We're a nation of laws," she said, quoting columnist Michelle Malkin. Rutschow said making Modesto a sanctuary is against those laws.

Activist John Mataka called the sanctuary concept and people's ability to move freely without fear of arrest or deportation a human right.

Nancy Hinton disagreed, saying it would be unfair to those who went through the process to become legal citizens.

"There's a difference between immigration and sponsoring illegal immigration," she said.

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/13776 ... 7660c.html

Joan Rutschow shook her head at the idea of Modesto adopting something similar. "We're not a nation of immigrants. We're a nation of laws," she said, quoting columnist Michelle Malkin. Rutschow said making Modesto a sanctuary is against those laws

.

It's nice to know that there are still a few government officials left in haven states who exercise good judgement, common sense and BELIEVE IN THE RULE OF LAW>

Require county staff or law enforcement to notify the Brown Berets and other community groups when federal agents are in the area so the groups can advise illegal immigrants.

http://www.brandens.net/files/Sounds/CL ... heHell.WAV

"I have no interest in overstepping our bounds," Councilwoman Kristin Olsen said.

http://www.brandens.net/files/Sounds/CLIPS/Frazier3.wav

Joan Rutschow shook her head at the idea of Modesto adopting something similar. "We're not a nation of immigrants. We're a nation of laws," she said, quoting columnist Michelle Malkin. Rutschow said making Modesto a sanctuary is against those laws.

http://www.brandens.net/files/Sounds/CLIPS/AUSTIN4.WAV

Activist John Mataka called the sanctuary concept and people's ability to move freely without fear of arrest or deportation a human right.

http://www.brandens.net/files/Sounds/CLIPS/GIGGLE.WAV

Nancy Hinton disagreed, saying it would be unfair to those who went through the process to become legal citizens. "There's a difference between immigration and sponsoring illegal immigration," she said.

http://frogstar.soylentgeek.com/wav/applaus.wav

EXCELLENT NEWS for the people of Modesto and their council members. Been to Modesto for a Protest last year and it was something. Glad to know that some people in local governments in the area still have their wits about them.

Require county staff or law enforcement to notify the Brown Berets and other community groups when federal agents are in the area so the groups can advise illegal immigrants.

Advise them of what, where to hide?