Thread: Rep. Bilbray: Professionals can spot illegals by attire

Rep. Brian Bilbray: Professionals can spot illegal immigrants by attire
By Lisa DiVirgilio
April 22, 2010, 11:47AM

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) had an interesting take on how "trained professionals" could spot undocumented workers: just by looking at their shirts and shoes.


Brian Bilbray, right, is congratulated by supporters at an Election Night party.Bilbray was a recent guest on MSNBC's "Hardball" with Chris Matthews. While discussing Arizona's pending profiling bill, Matthews asked Bilbray to give a "non-ethnic aspect" that law enforcement could use to seek out illegal immigrants. Bilbray said beyond spotting them "mostly by [their] behavior," trained professionals would be able to spot them out by what they were wearing.

"They will look at the type of dress they wear, there is different type of attire. Right down to the shoes, right down to the clothes. But, mostly by behavior," Bilbray answered.


http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/ ... fessi.html

If true, then the huge Michoacán rear window decals and piolin, (the illegal invader malefactor) bumper stickers, complete with mexican flag decals to complement their patriotism should be a no brainer!

Kudos for Bilbray talking with MSNBC in the first place.
~~~

Bilbray criticized for comments on illegal immigrants

New Arizona law allows police to ask people about immigration status


By EDWARD SIFUENTES
Posted: April 23, 2010 7:40 pm | (16) Comments

Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, was criticized this week by civil and immigrant rights groups for saying that law enforcement professionals could spot illegal immigrants by the way they dress.

On Wednesday, Bilbray was a guest on the MSNBC TV show "Hardball" with Chris Matthews. He was asked his opinion of an Arizona bill that would require local police to question people about their immigration status if there was reason to suspect they were in the country illegally.

The bill, Senate Bill 1070, was signed into law Friday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer despite criticisms from various organizations and individuals, including President Barack Obama.

Immigrant rights advocates say the law will lead to widespread racial profiling of Latinos in Arizona.

When Matthews asked Bilbray why the law would not lead to racial profiling, the congressman replied that police were trained to look for "patterns of activity" and other indications beyond a person's skin or hair color.

Pushing further, Matthews asked for an example of what police would look for that was not related to a person's ethnicity. Bilbray said "trained professionals" can spot illegal immigrants by the way they're dressed and the way they behave.

"They will look at the kind of dress you wear, there's different types of attire," Bilbray said. "There's different type of attire, there's different types of ---- right down to the shoes, right down to the clothes."

Bilbray said Friday the way a person dresses would be one of many things that law enforcement officers would use to determine whether to ask for immigration documentation.

"It's the whole situation," Bilbray said. "The environment, the manner, the clothing someone is wearing would be just one aspect."

Bilbray brushed aside criticisms of his comments, saying there are many groups who do not want immigration enforcement and are critical of anyone who opposes them.

"I think it's par for the course," he said.

The North County congressman is chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus, a group of predominantly Republican House members who support tighter immigration controls. The group was founded by former Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.

Advocates for immigrants said Bilbray's comments were an example of the problems local law enforcement officers would face in attempting to decide when to ask for a person's proof of immigration status. They said the law would expose police departments to racial profiling lawsuits.

"I think it's outrageous that he would make comments like that," said Pedro Rios, San Diego director for the Quaker human rights organization American Friends Service Committee. "It's outrageous that what somebody wears could be a reason for stopping and questioning them."

San Diego immigration attorney Matt Holt said the law would violate people's constitutional rights.

"We know that we have a Fourth Amendment guarantee that protects us from unreasonable search and seizure, and the type of jeans or the type of shoes you wear doesn't give officers probable cause," Holt said.

The law makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. It allows lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws, and makes it illegal to hire illegal immigrants for day labor or knowingly transport them.

President Obama was among the critics of the bill. He said it was "misguided" and that it would lead to civil rights violations.

Supporters disagreed, saying the state was forced to take action because of the federal government's inability to control the nation's borders.

Republican Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa, Ariz., the bill's sponsor, said the law would remove "political handcuffs" from police and help drive illegal immigrants from Arizona.

www.nctimes.com