Thread: AZ:TPD may not turn over to feds illegal immigrants who are

Published: 08.14.2008
TPD may not turn over to feds illegal immigrants who are crime victims, witnesses
CARLI BROSSEAU
Tucson Citizen
Tucson interim police Chief Kermit Miller announced a revision of the department's immigration policy at a City Council subcommittee meeting Thursday.
The proposed policy states that police will not call federal authorities to alert them to the immigration status of victims, witnesses or people who are pulled over for civil traffic violations.

In contrast, police will call immigration officials on people arrested on suspicion of a crime, but arrestees who would normally be cited and released will be detained for no more than 20 minutes, Miller said. This category contains people arrested on suspicion of either a misdemeanor or a felony.
The revisions, Miller said, would draw a clear line between bystanders and suspects, protect the city from lawsuits alleging illegal detention and provide clearer guidance to officers, who under the current policy, are given discretion on whether to call immigration officials.
"We want to make clear that if you commit a crime, all bets are off," he said. "We don't want to create a class of victims and witnesses that can be preyed upon because of a fear of calling police."
However, one woman who spoke in response to the proposal said that had already happened. Julia Villa, an organizer for Border Action Network, an immigrants' rights group, said in Spanish: "I see families living in fear. I know families that haven't called police."
Villa, as well as the organization's executive director, Jennifer Allen, applauded the changes but asked for further clarification. Allen suggested separating trivial crimes from serious ones and treating juveniles with more leniency.
About two dozen people were in council chambers to hear the announcement.
Miller said officers will be operating under the current policy until the policy is finalized. He was hesitant to name the date a new policy would go into effect.
The immigration policy is a departmental rule, not subject to the approval of the City Council, but subcommittee members asked to be briefed on the department's public outreach regarding the change.
Council members Rodney Glassman and Nina Trasoff were present. Steve Leal was absent.
Another key development for police that is likewise not up to the council is a proposed communications system that would link Pima County public safety agencies.
The network was intended to allow agencies to communicate more easily, but it does not necessarily mean Tucson police would have the same dispatch system or records software as the sheriff's department, Miller said.
Decisions regarding the system are not up to the council because the program was funded by a 2004 county bond. Councilwoman Nina Trasoff asked, however, that the council be given time to make recommendations before the switchover from the current, 1970s system to a new one begins in 2009.
The network, which was inspired by the difficulty law enforcement had communicating Sept. 11, 2001, is projected to be finished in 2011. The company to be hired to install the system should be decided by February, according to an outline handed out during the presentation.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/brea ... /93802.php

In contrast, police will call immigration officials on people arrested on suspicion of a crime, but arrestees who would normally be cited and released will be detained for no more than 20 minutes, Miller said.

No drivers license, no insurance, give false name; can not detain more than 20 minutes. So in other words drive and do as before because we do not want to hurt your feelings. What is really going on here?

Allen suggested separating trivial crimes from serious ones and treating juveniles with more leniency.

Treat juveniles with leniency. Like the illegal alien MS-13 gang banger in San Fransisco who ended up murdering three innocent Americans? Treat them with with leniency too? So we should wait until illegals actually kill people before turning them over to ICE, WTF is wrong with these idiots? And what is a trivial crime? I suppose driving without licenses, identity theft, etc. will be considered as trivial crimes.