Thread: Richmond Calls For End To Feds' Immigration Raids

http://cbs5.com/investigates/local_story_039004207.html
Richmond Calls For End To Feds' Immigration Raids

Anna Werner
Reporting

(CBS 5) RICHMOND The Richmond City Council is officially calling for an end to raids by federal immigration agents.

"I really don't believe that any of our residents should be living in a climate of fear and terror like this," said Mayor Gayle McLaughlin.

McLaughlin, in office barely a month, is already holding a news conference denouncing the immigration raids in her city.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in those raids, taking place in Richmond and nationwide, that it's only going after illegal immigrants with criminal convictions or deportation orders. But McLaughlin said accounts from residents suggest otherwise.

"People who have no real criminal behavior at all have been unjustly placed under arrest," she said.

She said she'd take the word of her city's residents over that of ICE officials who say the raids are targeted.

"People just came and spoke from their heart and were so clearly concerned and in a state of fear and wanting to register that something needs to be done," McLaughlin said. "I was totally convinced. There was no doubt in my mind that this was happening."

So a new resolution passed by the city council Tuesday night calls for a moratorium on those raids until Congress takes up immigration reform.

It also calls for ICE agents to clearly state they are not Richmond police.

The resolution also says Richmond's police department will not cooperate with immigration agents in going after undocumented immigrants.

Richmond police Capt. Alec Griffin told CBS 5 that ICE is hurting local law enforcement efforts.

Protests are growing against the ICE raids, and now elected officials from other East Bay communities like San Pablo are talking about enacting their own resolutions.

"We need dialogue. We need understanding. We need compassion," said San Pablo city councilman Leonard McNeil. "We don't need xenophobia, and we don't need fear and uncertainties. And I don't think that the ICE should be misrepresenting themselves as police and rounding up people without due process."


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The law is the law. If you are here illegally, you have to leave or RISK BEING DEPORTED!!

COME LEGALLY OR DON'T COME AT ALL!!!

ICE is doing their best to round up FUGITIVE illegal aliens. That is their job. Many of those arrested have committed other crimes like ID theft, or worse.
It may take years for Congress to pass immigration reform. The idea to stop these raids until reform is passed is laughable.

Let's spread the word that illegal immigrants can find safe haven in Richmond.