Thread: TX-City not giving up on immigrant screening

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City not giving up on immigrant screening
Councilwoman announces special meeting on jail program
By BRADLEY OLSON and SUSAN CARROLL

Oct. 23, 2009, 3:27PM
City Council member Toni Lawrence said on Friday that she has the necessary signatures from her colleagues to force a special meeting and possible vote on a controversial immigration screening program in the city's jails.

Lawrence issued a news release saying she was calling the meeting in reaction to an announcement by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials last week that Houston no longer was in consideration for the 287(g) program, which deputizes local law enforcement to assist ICE agents in identifying illegal immigrants in the jails.

Mayor Bill White had requested that the city participate in the program in the spring, after a Houston police officer was critically injured by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. But negotiations between city and immigration officials broke down over how the program would be administered and which agency would shoulder the costs.

White instead said he favors having the city participate in another ICE program, dubbed Secure Communities, that gives local law enforcement access to a massive immigration database.

Lawrence is attempting to circumvent the mayor and put the issue to a vote.

“I strongly favor having the city's Police Department participate in both the 287(g) program and the Secure Communities Program,â€

Keep up the pressure Ms. Lawrence! We need more like you.

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White challenged on immigration
3 council members call meeting on jail-screening plan mayor opposes
By BRADLEY OLSON and SUSAN CARROLL
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Oct. 23, 2009, 10:37PM

In a direct affront to Mayor Bill White, three City Council members have made a surprise attempt to force a vote on a controversial immigration screening program in the city's jails.

A rare special council meeting scheduled for Wednesday comes as a direct response to last week's announcement by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that Houston no longer was in consideration for the 287(g) program, which deputizes local law enforcement to assist ICE agents in identifying illegal immigrants in the jails.

But the effort to revive the city's chances is likely to bump up against stiff resistance on council, as many members are planning to skip the meeting, a step that effectively would kill any chance of forcing a vote on the matter.

Political machinations potentially could raise the stakes of the meeting, as several council members are just days away from an election. White, who made an urgent request to join the program in the spring before backing away after negotiations with immigration officials broke down, is actively campaigning for a not-yet-vacated U.S. Senate seat. Councilwoman Toni Lawrence, the leader of the three that called for the special meeting, has begun campaigning to become the next Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner. One of her potential opponents has been running advertising on conservative radio attacking the city for backing away from the program.

Lawrence said she decided to call the meeting after feeling unsatisfied with plans White proposed to her that included further studying the matter. White instead favors having the city participate in another ICE program, dubbed Secure Communities, that gives local law enforcement access to a massive immigration database.

“I don't think that's strong enough,â€

Councilmembers focus on immigration days before election

07:05 PM CDT on Friday, October 23, 2009

khou.com staff reports

HOUSTON – Three Houston city councilmembers are planning to call an emergency meeting centering on illegal immigration.

The councilmembers want Houston to take part in a federal program that would check out the immigration status of all inmates in the city jail.

This meeting is scheduled just six days before the election.

Officials said the meeting may not have any impact on the city’s policy, but it could shine a political spotlight on illegal immigration in the week before voters cast their ballots.

www.khou.com