Thread: Mesa to announce new immigration policy

Mesa to announce new immigration policy
17 commentsby Gary Nelson - Jun. 30, 2008 03:05 PM
The Arizona Republic
Changes in Mesa's official immigration policy will be announced Wednesday during a press conference in City Council chambers, city spokesman Steve Wright said Monday.

The 3 p.m. meeting at 57 E. First St. will be a follow-through on promises made by Mayor Scott Smith to clarify Mesa's stance on the white-hot issue, Wright said.

"He always said we need a clear and concise policy," Wright said.

He said Smith began meeting with Police Chief George Gascón and top-level city managers to discuss the issue immediately upon taking office June 2.

Mesa was in the immigration spotlight last week when Sheriff Joe Arpaio sent deputies to town during a highly publicized crime suppression operation aimed at undocumented immigrants and other lawbreakers.

Gascón and Arpaio have been publicly at odds over the issue.

The previous City Council, led by ex-mayor Keno Hawker, encouraged city police to target only serious criminal activity connected with illegal immigration. As a result, they and Gascón were heavily criticized for creating what some called a "sanctuary" city for illegal immigrants.

Smith recently went to Washington and won a commitment from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to more actively help Mesa police identify and deal with suspects in the country illegally.

Wright said the City Council is scheduled to discuss the issue in its study session beginning at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, also at 57 E. First St.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa ... 30-ON.html

Mesa set to announce policy on illegal immigration
June 30th, 2008, 2:28 pm · 7 Comments · posted by Sonu Munshi
Mesa officials have finalized a formal policy on illegal immigration, details of which will be announced Wednesday.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, who has been working with police officials on this issue, said from what he understands, the police department’s policy thus far has been in practice informally.â€

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, who has been working with police officials on this issue, said from what he understands, the police department’s policy thus far has been in practice informally.â€