Thread: TX: Harris County Sheriff in favor of controversial 287(g) p

Harris County Sheriff in favor of controversial 287(g) program

08:25 PM CDT on Thursday, October 22, 2009

By Alex Sanz / 11News

HOUSTON – 11 News has learned that Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia wants to continue a controversial, federal program that allows some of his deputies to act as immigration agents.

“A lot are saying, “Well, you know, you’re deporting somebody for a minor crime,â€

[quote="jean"]
“A lot are saying, “Well, you know, you’re deporting somebody for a minor crime,â€

[quote="bigtex"][quote="jean"]
“A lot are saying, “Well, you know, you’re deporting somebody for a minor crime,â€

If you do not enforce all immigration laws, it is called "OPEN BORDERS" WE the American people do not want "OPEN BORDERS"....We want our immigration laws, all of them enforced you stupid idiots!!!

Thieves Steal Sheriff's Wheels
Wheels Cost $1,600 To Replace

POSTED: Friday, October 23, 2009
UPDATED: 5:32 pm CDT October 23, 2009

HOUSTON -- Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia became a victim of crime, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

Garcia woke up to find two driver's side wheels from his county vehicle stolen. The 2008 Chevy Tahoe was parked in his driveway in north Houston.

"(He found out) about 6 a.m. when he was trying to pull the vehicle out of the way to let his wife's car come out," said Christina Garza with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "It appears it was jacked because there were two concrete blocks in place of the wheels of the tires."

Sheriff's investigators walked around to neighbors to see if they saw or heard anything.

A sheriff's spokeswoman said the sheriff is not getting special treatment and that the case was not given higher priority than any other reported auto theft.

"This is county equipment, so just like any other equipment or computers, we'd launch an investigation. It's our property. It's our equipment," Garza said.

Neighbors said they've seen crime in the area.

"We've had break-ins. My father has left his car out during the night before and they've broken in," neighbor Jennifer Torres said.

It will cost at $1,600 to replace the stolen wheels.

Garcia did not comment on the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Harris County Votes To Extend Controversial Immigration And Crime Program

Leticia Juarez KIAH

October 27, 2009
A federal anti-crime and immigration program has stirred a hornet's nest with protesters on both sides of the issue weighing in.

"The impacts of such an agreement will divide families and destroy our communities all together," said Luissana Santibanez.

While on the other side of Preston Street, supporters of the controversial program had their say.

"These officers came to work as police officers to help curb crime to help protect the community and then their hands are tied by not allowing them to use things like 287 (G)," said Charles "Bull Whip" with U.S. Border Watch.

The 287(G) program is a tool used by the Harris County Sheriff's Department to screen an inmate's immigration status.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Adrian Garcia asked commissioners court to approve a three year contract to extend the program in his intake processing center.

"We need to keep what works and do away with what doesn't," said Sheriff Garcia.

But opponents gave stinging criticism of the program they believes is a tool for racial profiling.

"We think that his intent, the intent that he has, is to use this as weapon," said Deacon Joe Rubio with Catholic Charities.

"LULAC is a civil rights organization, this 287 (G) is very detrimental to the Hispanic community," said another opponent.

In all, three of the four commissioners voted to extend the agreement despite its detractors.

The 287(G) program has cost taxpayers $1,023,691 since its inception a year ago. Under the new agreement those costs may go up due to increase jail time for detained inmates, who will not be given bond, if they are placed under an immigration hold.

"Bottom-line it takes criminals off the streets and if those criminals happen to also be here illegally then it turns them over to immigration and they get deported," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

Still, Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, the lone hold out, said the federal program should not be a local burden.

"It's really not a question whether or not we want criminals on the street. It's a question of how much its costing the local taxpayers because we are not immigration officers," said Precinct 2 Commissioner Garcia.

The controversial vote was a sweet victory for supporters of 287 (G), but a stinging defeat for opponents who believe it will create fear in the immigrant community.

www.39online.com

Yippee! GO GARCIA! GO HARRIS COUNTY! Houston, you suck.

Harris County Sheriff in favor of controversial 287(g) program

Yea...well most law abiding citizens are!

Originally Posted by NoBueno

Harris County Sheriff in favor of controversial 287(g) program

Yea...well most law abiding citizens are!

Exactly!

Originally Posted by Judy

Yippee! GO GARCIA! GO HARRIS COUNTY! Houston, you suck.

Again, this proves that there are far more Hispanics that agree us that illegal aliens are criminals and need to be sent back home than the few loud mouths who don't.