Thread: San Jose severs ties with ICE after gang crackdown

San Jose severs ties with ICE after gang crackdown

The Associated Press
Published: Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011 - 5:44 am

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Police Department is ending its alliance with federal immigration agents after a successful two month crackdown on gang violence.

The San Jose Mercury News ( http://bit.ly/nCBsTC ) says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents joined police officers on June 24 for a sweep designed to stem a steep rise in gang violence that includes at least 14 homicides.

Police Chief Chris Moore said Wednesday that the arrest of 215 gang members means the budget-strapped city can now afford to sever ties with the immigration agents.

Some community leaders had expressed fears illegal immigrants without gang affiliation could be deported with the addition of ICE agents.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jason Dwyer says the department isn't caving in to community pressure. He says the department accomplished what it set out to do - a complete halt to gang homicides.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/25/386082 ... ni_popular

Police spokesman Sgt. Jason Dwyer says the department isn't caving in to community pressure. He says the department accomplished what it set out to do - a complete halt to gang homicides.

But not a halt to the expense tab we will be paying through this century.