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Published February 05, 2007 11:57 pm -

ICE decision likely tonight
Council, mayor inundated with calls about deportation proposal

By CINDY TOOPES Courier staff writer


OTTUMWA — City leaders said Monday they have been deluged with phone calls and e-mails about tonight’s city council vote on the ICE program.

The program is on the agenda for tonight’s 6:30 p.m. meeting in council chambers, city hall.

During a Jan. 8 council work session, Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark proposed the council approve participation in the federal Immigrant and Custom Enforcement 287(g) program. Often called ICE, the program will be another tool for city police to use in dealing with illegal aliens.

If approved by the council, Ottumwa police will have an officer certified to deport an illegal alien who has been involved in violent crimes, gang/organized crime activity, human smuggling, sexual-related offenses and drug trafficking.

Councilman Tom Shepard said he’s heard the council chambers will be packed.

“If we could sell tickets, we could cure the city’s deficit,” he said.

Shepard said there is a lot of interest on both sides of the proposal.

“I plan to vote for the ICE program, but there is a lot of misunderstanding on both sides,” Shepard said. “Those who favor ICE think it will address a lot more problems than it will. And, those against it think a lot of things will happen and they won’t.”

Mayor Dale Uehling said he has been “hearing pros and cons” on the ICE program. He believes city leaders need to “weigh this thing carefully.”

He emphasized the police aren’t out to identify all illegal aliens. The program targets illegals who have committed a felony.

“We have to be careful. We don’t want to be divisive in this thing,” Uehling said. “I believe that the vast majority of Latinos and other new Iowans are an asset to our community. They are buying homes and paying taxes and a lot of them are learning English if they don’t already know it.”

Councilwoman Shannon Addison has received a lot of calls and e-mails. She has “heard from both sides.”

“But, the majority of contacts do favor the ICE program,” she said.

Addison has also spoken to numerous Latinos who expressed concerns about the program.

“We don’t need any more divisive issues. We need to come together as a community,” she added.