http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 50345/1056

The Associated Press

LIMA, Ohio - A county sheriff said he'll increase enforcement against illegal immigrants, despite a letter from the Mexican consulate in Detroit warning him about profiling Mexican workers.

Allen County Sheriff Dan Beck said Monday his deputies do not profile Mexicans. But he said he's concerned about a growing population of illegal immigrants in the community and fears it could bring an increase in violent crime.

Beck said he received a letter from Mexican counsel Antonio Meza last month after the sheriff announced a plan to train his deputies on recognizing fraudulent forms of identification.

Meza said he sent the letter after receiving complaints from two community organizations that deputies were using profiling to conduct traffic stops to ask for citizenship papers.

Beck said the letter is full of misstatements.

"If this is the type of attitude he wants, it appears he's trying to coerce me into doing nothing," Beck said. "It tells me this is a more important issue. He just raised the priority here."

Meza said Mexicans come to the community to work and do not cause problems. His office has advised Mexicans to respect and cooperate with police, he said.

Lima Municipal Court records do not show how many illegal immigrants go through the system.

Municipal Judge William Lauber said Spanish-speaking people appearing in his court are usually accused of the same crimes as anyone else.