Thread: MD: Advocates, families wary of immigration policies

Advocates, families wary of immigration policies
Originally published June 08, 2008


By Nicholas C. Stern
News-Post Staff


With children who have darker complexions, Merri Sullivan has become keenly aware of what she describes as a hostile climate toward immigrants in Frederick County.
Sullivan, whose husband emigrated from the Philippines, was one of more than 50 advocates and community members who gathered Saturday morning at Maranatha Community Church to discuss what some deem harsh local immigration policies.

The event was organized by CASA de Maryland, the state's largest immigrant advocacy group, along with others who worry about a new Frederick County Sheriff's Office program to enforce federal immigration laws.

Kerry O'Brien, legal director at CASA, said the program, known as a 287(g), deputized 26 sheriff's deputies and officers in late February. It is the only one of its kind in Maryland.

CASA's position is that immigration problems should be tackled at the federal level.

Under the supervision of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the 26 deputized officers and deputies may initiate deportation proceedings on individuals, encountered during their normal course of duties, found to be in the country illegally.

By early May, about 20 people had been detained under the program, according to the sheriff's office.

Sullivan, a Frederick resident, said the fact that her husband and children look like Hispanics has opened her eyes to how cold some people can be.

"I understand why some people feel threatened," she said.

She said she is especially confounded because she has not seen negative effects from illegal immigration in her community. Instead, many immigrants work hard and pay state and local taxes.

"They add to the community," Sullivan said.

Representatives from the sheriff's office were not asked to attend Saturday's meeting.

Hector Pop, a campaign advocate for CASA, said many members of the local Hispanic community who feel vulnerable and frightened are looking for ways to help one another as some of their loved ones face arrest and deportation.

Those people want to know, for example, what happens to individuals once they are in the custody of immigration officials and what should be done with their families who are left behind, he said.

"We need to figure out with the community what to do," Pop said.

Pop said some solutions may include providing an information hotline, independently monitoring arrests to make sure they are not discriminatory, and if necessary, taking legal action.

"The process of incarceration is complex, and people need to understand the process," he said.

O'Brien said most of the cases she deals with concern workers who have not received pay, or who have been cheated out of full compensation by unscrupulous employers.

She said other callers are not sure of whether being a passenger in a car stopped by police could get them deported. Some calls come from crime victims who are fearful of notifying police because they may be deported.

O'Brien said she would like the sheriff's office to put something into writing, as other jurisdictions involved in a 287(g) program have done, saying it would protect crime victims from deportation if they call police.

Anthony Cecala, a local attorney, said a high percentage of his clients are Hispanics. Their cases often involve minor traffic infractions, but can have severe consequences for the clients' families, if the clients are in the country illegally.

There are always examples in which an unauthorized immigrant commits a violent crime. People have a right to be angry over these, he said.

But most immigrants are decent, hardworking people, and often unfairly serve as scapegoats for some people's fears, Cecala said.

On the other hand, unfounded fears, like the idea that walking to a grocery store could lead to a police stop, arrest and deportation, should be dispelled, Cecala said. Police are only enforcing immigration laws after making a lawful arrest.

Robyn M. Cincotta, of Frederick resident, said she attended because she wants to know more about the 287(g) program.

"Every time law enforcement gets more authority, we should all be concerned," Cincotta said.

www.fredericknewspost.com

Kerry O'Brien, legal director at CASA, said the program, known as a 287(g), deputized 26 sheriff's deputies and officers in late February. It is the only one of its kind in Maryland.

CASA's position is that immigration problems should be tackled at the federal level.

Well Kerry, you got your wish. 287)g) IS a federal program LOL.