Brian McElwee

Scranton Immigration Policy Examiner
January 4, 2012

Meriam Webster defines sanctuary as, “A consecrated place, or a place of refuge and protection.” It's got a nice ring to it, conveying thoughts of shelter, a safe haven if you will. Indeed, where applied, sanctuary ordinances provide exactly that, a safe haven. Sadly, that safe haven is provided not for the people who deserve it, citizens, but rather for people who willingly break our immigration laws to enter and remain here. Once here, many enjoy successful and varied criminal careers. Such is the case with one Edwin Ramos.


A preventable tragedy

On June 22, 2008, Tony Balogna made the fatal mistake of believing he had safe haven in his own community. While returning home from a family outing, the 48 year old Balogna was (allegedly) savagely gunned down by Ramos near his residence along with his two sons, Michael and Matthew. Initial reports suggested the Balognas were simply unfortunate victims of road rage, but prosecutors allege Ramos had been “combing the area at the time of the shooting for rival gang members hoping to retaliate for another gang-related shooting in the Mission district earlier that day.” Of course, Ramos denies anything but driving the car that fateful day, but a Balogna son who survived the attack has testified that Ramos “flashed a gun” and was “mugging” just before shots were fired.


Loss of life is always tragic, but compounding the tragedy is the fact that it was preventable. Ramos was well known to law enforcement agents in the San Francisco area, and has already been identified as not only an illegal alien but a member of the MS 13 gang, notorious for their proclivity to violence. Apparently, they are also intolerant of former members and snitches, as the Paz family of Virginia found out when their 17 year old daughter, Brenda, had her life snuffed out in retaliation for cooperating with law enforcement agencies concerning gang activities in her area.


Coming to your town soon

If you haven't heard of them yet, do your research. The FBI reports that MS 13 has as many as 10,000 members in 42 states. The FBI also reports the gang's criminal activities to include among other things, murder, rape, robbery, home invasions and kidnapping while noting a common denominator to the crimes......exceeding violence.


MS 13 is a notroiously violent gang with a coast to coast presence


Not all of Ms 13's members are illegal aliens, of course, but many are. Ramos certainly is and he gained his most significant “street cred” after having already been identified as one by law enforcement, courtesy of the dangerously inept concept of sanctuary cities. The city of San Francisco claims their policy is, “rooted in the sanctuary movement of the 1980's, when churches across the country provided refuge to Central Americans fleeing wars in their countries.” This claim is debatable and troubling. More troubling is the following statement from the colossally dysfunctional city, “In recent years, the Sanctuary Movement has experienced a rebirth, as grassroots organizations, faith communities, and local governments have stood firmly against oppressive immigration proposals in Congress and immigration raids that separate families.” The city's statement then goes on to reaffirm its commitment to “immigrant communities.”


We've been down this road many times before but the drum will continue beating until alien apologists cease their attempts to dupe the unknowing. Illegal aliens are not immigrants, therefore, cities with sanctuary policies are not protecting immigrant communities from anything. Rather, they are willfully negligent in their primary responsibility, protecting their citizens.


Deadly irony


In a deadly case of irony, the gang to which Edwin Ramos belongs, MS 13, traces its own roots to the same refugees fleeing war torn countries which San Francisco refers to. In this case, the refugees hail from El Salvador. The gang got its start here in the states, ostensibly as a means of protection for Salvadorans from established gangs in Los Angeles. How ironic that one of the most violent gangs in America sprang up from a need for protection, still the reason many youth feel compelled to join such groups.


It's also ironic, and entirely appropriate, that Meriam Webster offers the following alternate definition for sanctuary, “A refuge for wildlife where predators are controlled and hunting is illegal.” Wildlife, indeed. What better term for a known illegal alien who has been in and out of the penal system for most of his teen years, is a known member of the brutal MS-13 gang, and had both assault and attempted robbery (two separate incidents, the latter against a pregnant woman) convictions to his discredit prior to the savage gunning down of unarmed American citizens? And sadly, in this alternate definition, the “predators” would be deemed to be law enforcement agents, prevented from “hunting” their prey, illegal aliens (and criminals to boot) who have no right to be in this country.


Innocence vs complicity

To the Bologna family, as well as all other victims of crime at the hands of illegal aliens, we offer our heartfelt sympathies. Yours are preventable losses.


As for alien apologists, we offer nothing but disdain, for it is your ilk that allows such dangerously flawed concepts as sanctuary cities (and the politicians who shamelessly administer them) to prosper. Shame on you all.

http://www.examiner.com/immigration-...gedy-revisited