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Patrolman's union wants change to HPD's illegal immigrant policy

05:29 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2006

By Brad Woodard / 11 News

Click to watch video| Brad Woodard's 5 p.m. update


Freedom may be a thing of beauty, but sometimes the process of freedom may not be so beautiful.

“You don’t like it here? Get the hell outta here (racial slur),” said one person protesting On the front steps of the Houston City Hall.

The protest and words said are evidence of the underlying frustration surrounding the immigration debate.

Tuesday’s rally was organized by the Houston Police Patrolmen’s Union.

The recent death of Houston Police Officer Rodney Hohnson, allegedly at the hands of an illegal felon from Mexico prompted HPD to speed up changes to its immigration policy.

“You have to arrest them. Then you ask about immigration status,” said Johnnie McFarland who is the president of HPPU.

Officers still can’t inquire about the immigration status of someone they haven’t arrested.

“We definitely have a don’t ask don’t tell policy. We need all the intelligence and information we can get about people that are here,” said McFarland.

But it’s not that simple according to Houston Mayor Bill White. “It’s not a crime. It’s not a violation of federal or state law to be in the state without documentation.”

“We believe law enforcement should be given the right to inquire about someone’s immigration status prior to the arrest,” said Curtis Collier with U.S. Border Watch.

Some, however, see it another way.

“We believe that will make immigrants fear police. They pay taxes and are entitled to police services,” said Maria Jimenez a longtime social justice activist.

Public safety, Jimenez said, without distinction.




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