Thread: Sheriff's stance on immigration scares patrons

Sheriff's stance on immigration scares patrons

By Candice Brooks Higgins
Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

HAMILTON — Two local Hispanic business owners faced off with Butler County officials Monday, asking for the sheriff's office to publicly dispel local concerns about immigrant profiling so their patrons may return.

County officials have taken a no-tolerance stance on illegal immigration. Leading the pack, Sheriff Richard K. Jones took the first steps in December to gain long-sought federal immigration law enforcement powers. The office is still working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to define the scope of the sheriff's authority, Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer said.

Fear about how Jones and his deputies will use their new authority, though, has cut into business, said Angel Guerrero, owner of Casa Guerrero at 725 East Ave. Guerrero's business is in the heart of a neighborhood here with a dense Hispanic population.

"I'm in a ghost town because nobody wants to come into Hamilton, not even legal people because of the reputation we're getting," Guerrero said.

Dwyer was not sympathetic. He said he believes the loss of business is a side effect of an exodus of illegal immigrants in the wake of the sheriff's public stance.

"I think it's mostly illegal people who do not want to come to Hamilton and set up shop. That's just my opinion," Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer responded. "I can't help it if your business drops because the illegals have left and that's where you got your business."

Commissioner Michael Fox said he couldn't find common ground on the question of how to deal with illegal immigrants if Guerrero's business depends on illegal patrons.

Neptali Roblero, who runs Supermercado El Valle Verde in Hamilton Plaza on Dixie Highway, said rumors of racial profiling are keeping legal Hispanic residents away.

"If it's not true, we need to tell people, 'Please come to Hamilton. We are a friendly city,'" Roblero said.

Dwyer and Fox both denounced indiscriminate profiling. Dwyer said harassment will not be tolerated and should be reported.

Guerrero said he knows better and accused sheriff's deputies of following his Mercedes Benz even though he's been a legal resident for 20 years.

"They follow me wherever I go," he said after the meeting. "Harassment is hard to prove."


Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or chiggins@coxohio.com.


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Neptali Roblero, who runs Supermercado El Valle Verde in Hamilton Plaza on Dixie Highway, said rumors of racial profiling are keeping legal Hispanic residents away.

What a crock, if he caters to illegals and his business is co-dependent on them,then he deserves the consequences. That goes for any business.


I`ve heard about the one accusing the sheriff of follow him around.

If your business is set up to cater to criminals you deserve to lose it. Try advertisting " If your legal you have nothing to fear and your welcome here"