Thread: TX: Illegal immigration a top issue in Irving race

Illegal immigration a top issue in Irving race

12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, March 15, 2007
By ERIC AASEN / The Dallas Morning News
eaasen@dallasnews.com

Illegal immigration – and what Irving is or isn't doing about it – might be topic No. 1 in the race for Place 1 on the Irving City Council.

The challenger, Thomas D. Spink, says the city isn't doing enough to combat illegal immigrants. If elected, he said, he'd push the council to get Irving police officers to join a federal initiative that trains law enforcement to process and detain illegal immigrants.

"We've got to stand by what's good for this country," Mr. Spink said. "We've got to support it and implement it and not just talk about it."

The incumbent, James Dickens, supports Irving's current efforts. Immigration agents enter the Irving jail regularly and remove inmates. But Mr. Dickens said the city could do more, so he's exploring the idea of getting the city to join in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program.

"I'm proud that we're the No. 1 exporter of criminal illegal aliens in the Dallas-Fort Worth area," Mr. Dickens said.

"One never wants to rest," he added. "There could always be ... improvement."

Both candidates agree on at least one thing: There's more to this election than illegal immigration. Their concerns range from code enforcement to neighborhood revitalization.

Mr. Dickens, on the council since 1999, is running for his fourth term. Mr. Spink, an insurance agent, ran for Irving mayor in 2005, when he received about 3 percent of the vote. Election Day is May 12.

Illegal immigration has been simmering in Irving, partly because of the desires of several residents that the city join the 287(g) program.

The City Council decided last year that it wasn't interested in participating in the federal initiative.

Some council members say that Irving is doing more to address illegal immigration than other area cities.

But Mr. Dickens has sent a memo to City Manager Tommy Gonzalez requesting that city officials check into "an enhanced coordinated effort" with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

An Irving police employee who's undergone ICE training could then guide colleagues "to assure that the city of Irving is getting maximum output of processing illegal immigrants involved in criminal activity," Mr. Dickens wrote to Mr. Gonzalez.

Mr. Dickens, who is Hispanic, said in an interview that he's not interested in getting numerous police employees trained or "hire a bunch of people to do the federal government's job."

Mr. Spink wouldn't comment on Mr. Dickens' memo or the City Council's stance on illegal immigration.

"I don't care what he says about 287(g)," Mr. Spink said. "My opinion is my opinion. I'm not here to determine what Mr. Dickens is doing."

Besides immigration matters, Mr. Spink, 68, said he wants to focus on improving code enforcement, luring more business to Irving and revitalizing south Irving.

Mr. Spink wants the city to broadcast remarks from residents at the end of City Council meetings on Irving's cable network. Council members stopped televising the forum because they were concerned about comments that some residents had made.

Mr. Dickens, 53, a city of Irving retiree, wants to continue overseeing progress made on various redevelopment projects, including the Texas Stadium site and downtown in south Irving.

He also wants to focus on improving code enforcement.

In other Irving council election news, Place 2 incumbent Beth Van Duyne and Place 7 incumbent Sam Smith don't face opposition.

A special election will also be held May 12 for the Place 5 seat after Lowell Cannaday announced that he's stepping down to run for Dallas County sheriff. Filing runs through April for the Place 5 seat.

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All law officers should be able to enforce immigration laws. What is wrong with these people. Are they smoking the drugs that come into the country or are they hiring the illegals at law wages?

Farmers Branch is spreading to its neighbors.

Dixie

This is why you need to call your local city councilmen and pester them. Have your friends and neighbors call too.

google your city and look for your councilmen contacts and get busy bugging them.

Dixie

Immigration a concern in council races

Elections: Irving candidates also discuss code enforcement


12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, May 6, 2007
By ERIC AASEN / The Dallas Morning News
eaasen@dallasnews.com

IRVING – Water, code enforcement and illegal immigration were among the issues that popped up last week at a debate featuring Irving City Council candidates.

Incumbent James Dickens and challenger Thomas D. Spink are battling for the Place 1 seat.

The Place 5 race features John Barrett, Rose Cannaday and Adam Harris.

Place 2 incumbent Beth Van Duyne and Place 7 incumbent Sam Smith don't face opposition.

Election Day is Saturday, and early voting continues through Tuesday.

Here are debate highlights:


Place 1

Mr. Spink: He frequently mentioned illegal immigration, saying illegal immigrants create issues for schools and hospitals. He wants Irving to join the 287(g) federal initiative, which would allow police departments to determine whether illegal immigrants who've committed crimes are eligible for deportation proceedings.

He said the city needs to have stronger code enforcement. He wants the city to strengthen its homeowners' associations.

Mr. Spink said proposed plans to redevelop the area near downtown in south Irving will benefit the city.

Mr. Dickens: He said he's running on "experienced leadership," describing himself as "an independent thinker."

He said the city is working diligently on code issues and has expanded its code enforcement program. Mr. Dickens said the south Irving redevelopment plan will "be beyond everyone's expectations."

He said that he doesn't support illegal immigration but that the Irving police chief doesn't see a need for city police to join the 287(g) immigration program.


Place 5

Mr. Harris: He said he's seen Irving decline and wants to improve the city's neighborhoods and shopping centers.

He said he wants to see the city raise more awareness about animal welfare and build a community garden. He also wants city staff to better enforce water sprinklers so that water doesn't run into the streets.

Mr. Harris supports Irving's current policy toward immigration, in which immigration agents enter the Irving jail regularly and remove inmates.

Mr. Barrett: Illegal immigration is a top issue for Mr. Barrett, who calls it an "enormous problem" and says costs related to illegal immigrants are "enormous."

He supports the city enrolling in the 287(g) program.

"The city police should be able to take stronger action at the local level," he said.

In addition, Irving needs to give residents more incentives to use less water, he said. He also wants to improve residents' participation in city government.

Ms. Cannaday: She supports the city's recent economic development efforts because they will help keep taxes low and help revitalize parts of Irving.

The city has seen many code enforcement reforms in recent years, although she said "it's not fast enough." She said public safety and code enforcement are among her priorities.

She said Irving's strategy regarding illegal immigration – allowing immigration agents access to the Irving jail – means the city is outperforming other area cities.
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