Wonder if Councilman Stabosz knows of the 287(g) program?

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentin ... 169497.htm

Posted on Tue, Dec. 05, 2006

LaPorte councilman proposes crackdown on illegal aliens

Associated Press

LAPORTE, Ind. - A councilman has proposed requiring two city police officers be trained to actively hunt down illegal immigrants.

City Councilman Tim Stabosz on Monday night introduced the measure, which also proposes a hotline that LaPorte residents can call to report suspected illegal alien activity.

Stabosz said he brought the proposal to the council after meeting with Mike Strauss, who is among a vocal group of residents frustrated at the effort to curb illegal immigration at the federal level.

"This is not about creating a hostile atmosphere. This is not an issue of diversity. It's an issue of legality," Stabosz said.

Greg Serbon of the Indiana Federation for Immigration Reform and Enforcement in Valparaiso, said he wants to stop illegal immigrants from moving into northwest Indiana.

"Everyone is on our side," Serbon said after the meeting. "It's a problem that's going to get worse unless we put a foot on it."

Speaking out against the proposal was Luis Miramontes, director of LaPorte's El Puente Community Center, which assists Hispanic residents with employment, education, housing and other issues.

He said immigration is part of the nation's heritage.

"It is what makes us strong economically," he said. "If this is approved, the council will hang a large 'Keep Out sign' for LaPorte County."

The council did not take action. Member said they wanted to hear from the LaPorte Police Department, which has 32 patrol officers and six detectives on the force, according to its Web site. City Attorney Art Roule Jr. said it was his opinion that local police departments have no legal authority to enforce federal law.

He also said the city 25 miles west of South Bend likely would wind up in court, as have the handful of other communities that have enacted similar proposals.

"To me, this opens the door to an array of legal problems," Roule said.