THU., MAY 7, 2009 - 11:14 PM
County Board, advocates for immigrants at odds over jail task force
By MATTHEW DeFOUR

Advocates for immigrants objected Thursday to the Dane County Board creating a task force, rather than stating opposition to the sheriff’s policy of reporting illegal immigrants in the jail to federal officials.

The board created the task force on a voice vote and asked that it report back with ways to improve relations between law enforcement and immigrants by Nov. 1.

The proposal resulted from ongoing concerns among immigrants and their advocates about a policy that has been in effect for years, but has resulted in more deportations since the federal government increased funding for immigration enforcement in 2007.

A proposal that would have tried to change the sheriff’s policy was held back in the Public Protection and Judiciary Committee Tuesday, partly because Sheriff Dave Mahoney has said he sets jail policy, not the County Board. Committee chairman Sup. Paul Rusk, of Madison, noted that the sheriff has said reporting inmates who are illegal immigrants is a matter of jail safety.

"At least (a task force) keeps the issue in front of us," Rusk said Thursday.

But Laurie Mlatawou, co-chair of a task force examining racial disparities in the Dane County criminal justice system, said the Wisconsin Supreme Court has indicated the County Board can dictate certain day-to-day jail operations to the sheriff and the question of asking about immigration status hasn’t been settled.

"What will be an effective route will be for you to be bold and pass a strong resolution," Mlatawou said.

http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/latest/450354