Sheriff Morris to explain stance on illegal immigration

Staff Reports
Tuesday July 17th, 2007
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Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris will be meeting with the Daily News Editorial Board today to discuss his stance on illegal immigration.

Morris is expected to explain his administration’s approach to dealing with illegal immigrants in Okaloosa County. A recent public outcry has urged Morris to adopt the Bay County Sheriff’s Office controversial approach of seeking out illegal immigrants at construction sites.

Bay County deputies pull up at the work sites in their patrol cars and then chase whoever runs. Those who take off are arrested on charges such as trespassing, cutting through someone else’s property, or loitering if hiding out in someone’s yard, or reckless driving if speeding off in a car. U.S. immigration authorities are then given the names of those believed to be in this country illegally.

A representative of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a recent guest column that the tactic of rounding up illegal aliens may be unconstitutional.

The Daily News will cover this meeting for the Wednesday edition.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/7157/