Thread: TN: Police feel heat from both sides on immigration

Sunday, 07/29/07

Police feel heat from both sides on immigration
Departments try to find a balance

By SHEILA BURKE
Staff Writer


Many Midstate police officials say they're caught in the crossfire of a national debate over illegal immigration, forced to balance public demand for crackdowns on undocumented aliens against their duty to protect everyone in their jurisdictions.

Recognizing that the problem is increasing for local law enforcement agencies everywhere, the International Association of Chiefs of Police last week issued a report aimed at helping top cops navigate the thorny issue.

The IACP doesn't advocate a specific course of action. Instead, it discusses problems that can occur in a community when departments employ certain immigration-related policing strategies.

And while the report is likely to be read by law enforcement leaders throughout the region, many local chiefs have long been forced to develop strategies on their own.

In Nashville, the Metro police department operates the El Protector program, aimed at cultivating the crucial relationship with the city's growing Latino population. On the other hand, the department has been supportive of the local sheriff's 287(g) program, which screens for illegal immigrants booked into the Metro Jail in hope of deporting repeat offenders.

"When citizens ask us about immigration issues and illegal immigrants who are not violating our laws, we are very sympathetic," Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said. But, he said, the department's position remains that "security of the nation's borders is a federal government issue."

The IACP report also discusses topics ranging from increased problems with traffic violations among immigrant populations to the rise of employers who hire illegal immigrant day laborers.

Other counties apply

In recent months, a handful of other Midstate counties have applied for the 287(g) program. Others have said they can't afford the additional resources required or don't yet have enough immigrants to justify the cost.

In Lebanon, police began a program two months ago in which officers frequently make immigration queries on people arrested and accused of crimes.

"The program we've got right now, we think works perfectly for our department," Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen said.

The IACP report came in response to a flood of calls from police agencies across the country seeking advice, said Gene Voegtlin, legislative counsel for the group.

"This is no longer just border states or coastal states," he said. "You'd be hard pressed to get a group of police chiefs across the country to say that they're not dealing with immigration in some form."

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /1009/NEWS

Originally Posted by Nouveauxpoor

"When citizens ask us about immigration issues and illegal immigrants who are not violating our laws, we are very sympathetic," Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said. But, he said, the department's position remains that "security of the nation's borders is a federal government issue."

ILLEGAL immigrants not violating our laws?

What is that? Is that like crack dealers not violating our laws? Rapists not violating our laws? Car jackers not violating our laws?

Who are the Tennessee senators?

TN Senators

Bob Corker
Lamar Alexander

Both pathetic, right?

Corker has stood solidly against illegals, but Alexander wavers, while saying he's against it and for Border Security.

Thank you, gofer. I remember hearing Laura Ingraham speak highly about Senator Corker.