May 9, 2012

Why do three King County Council members support illegal aliens?

Dave Workman
Seattle Gun Rights Examiner

The Seattle Times reported Wednesday that three members of the King County Council want to protect people in this country illegally from being found out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the event they are booked into the King County jail for investigation of crimes.

It took the Seattle Times nine whole paragraphs to get around to identifying the trio:


Council Chairman Larry Gossett, who sponsored that 2009 measure and signed last week's letter to Constantine, said there needs to be a clear distinction between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. Councilmembers Larry Phillips and Julia Patterson also signed the letter.

The “2009 measure” to which the newspaper alludes is an ordinance that prohibits sheriff’s deputies and other county employees from inquiring about a person’s immigration status.


Translation: We’re a “sanctuary county” in the middle of a “sanctuary state” where political correctness has trumped the law.

In the story, Gossett is quoted saying a remarkably foolish thing:


"Some of us would like to see if we can clarify what the policy will be in our county, particularly as it relates to ... people who have not been found guilty of any crime whatsoever," Gossett said.

Let’s ask Larry if this same philosophy would apply in the event someone of questionable citizenship status were nabbed by the authorities with a carload of firearms.

The other day, a federal appeals court in Denver said illegal aliens do not enjoy Second Amendment protections, so this is a good question to be asking Gossett, Phillips and Patterson.


A federal appeals court says illegal immigrants don't have a right to own firearms under the U.S. Constitution.

Emmanuel Huitron-Guizar of Wyoming pleaded guilty to being an illegal immigrant in possession of firearms after his arrest last year. He was ordered held by immigration authorities at the Natrona County Detention Center in Wyoming.

An attorney for Huitron-Guizar appealed the case, saying illegal immigrants are not excluded from possessing firearms like felons and people who are mentally ill, and should have the same rights as U.S. citizens to buy a gun for hunting and protection.

The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver ruled Monday that illegal immigrants have only limited protection under the Constitution.—Fox News

On the other hand, the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation has a pretty good track record defending the gun rights of legal resident aliens, here in Washington, and with court victories in Massachusetts and Omaha, NE.

According to ICE spokesman Andrew Muñoz, quoted in the Times article:


"Historically, some criminal aliens with ICE detainers who have been mistakenly released to the streets ... have subsequently committed more serious crimes. Law-enforcement agencies that honor ICE detainers ultimately help protect public safety."

Perhaps there is something about that which Gossett, Phillips and Patterson do not understand. Or perhaps it is simply easier to blame guns than it is to blame stupid policies for violent crimes committed by people who are in this country illegally.

Does the name Rebecca Griego ring a bell? How about Jonathan Rowan, the man who – we will put this politely – had overstayed his welcome in this country and who was stalking Griego, who worked at the University of Washington. Rowan came calling one morning in April 2007 with a stolen revolver, shot her several times and then used the last round on himself.

The newspaper said ICE’s “Secure Communities” program, started in 2008, has accounted for 182,898 deportations across the country.

Gossett had this to say:


"I feel strongly that we need comprehensive immigration reform ... so that that guy with two, three kids, who has been here five, 10, 15 years, holding down a job in the restaurant at the Hyatt, supporting his family, has some kind of path to citizenship."

The path to citizenship already exists, Councilman Gossett. First, people apply for a visa to come here. Then they follow the rules about becoming legal resident aliens. Then they apply for citizenship, and so on and so forth. Got it?

Several states have adopted laws that might make Gossett and his comrades choke. These laws allow local authorities to question the immigration and citizenship status of people with whom they may come in contact. The Obama administration has made a habit of suing over such laws, particularly in Arizona.

Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to stop such lawsuits.

"Instead of using tax dollars to sue states, the Department of Justice and other branches of this government should start focusing on enforcing existing immigration laws," said Rep. Lou Barletta, a Pennsylvania Republican who as mayor of Hazleton oversaw a city ordinance cracking down on illegal immigration. "Until they do, the Department of Justice should not receive one federal tax dollar to sue states."—Washington Times

Protecting illegal aliens is bad policy, no matter how politically correct it might seem, and no matter what the reason.

Why do three King County Council members support illegal aliens? - Seattle gun rights | Examiner.com