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Immigration See other Immigration Articles Title: Aldermen take up the cause of Hispanics who fear "sanctuary" law violations Armed with the names of 59 Hispanic residents detained by immigration officials following their arrest, a group of Hispanic city council members wants to know if city and county "sanctuary" protections have been violated. A 2006 Chicago ordinance and a county resolution passed the same year forbid city or county officials from inquiring about or disclosing information relating to an individual's citizenship or immigration status, except in cases mandated under federal law. At a hearing of the city's Human Relations Committee today, Ald. Danny Solis (D-25) and Billy Ocasio (D-26) discussed the cases of Hispanic residents who ended up being held on immigration "detainers" following their arrest. The names were given to the aldermen last month by Hispanic organizations in the city. They fear that police or other law enforcement officials are illegally tipping off Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency that investigates cases of undocumented immigrants. Maria Leon choked back tears as she told the committee about her husband, who was booked into the Cook County jail after his arrest in February for driving without a valid license. ICE placed a hold on him shortly after his arrival, and he has since been moved to five different jails, Leon said. Leon and her two children, 11 and 7, were forced to move into the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Little Village after she fell behind on the rent for the family's basement apartment. Rev. Jose Landaverde said the mission is struggling to help numerous families whose breadwinners have been subjected to immigration-based holds placed in the Cook County jail. Families often cannot afford the expensive bonds that accrue once an immigration hold is placed on the fathers, said Jorge Mujica, an organizer for the March 10 Committee, which helped collect the 59 names that were presented to aldermen. He said some in the community believe that Chicago police are "ramping up" charges against people they believe are immigrants. Gail Montenegro, a spokesperson for ICE, said that the agency has three agents stationed at the Cook County courthouse who review the arrest records of individuals booked the day before and look into any cases involving individuals born outside of the United States. Place of birth is included on arrest reports. The records are made available by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, she said. She said ICE then determines whether to place detainers on those who appear eligible for deportation, placing priority on violent offenders, those with prior deportations, outstanding deportation orders, prior felony convictions or current felony charges. "ICE does not racially profile," Montenegro wrote in an e-mail response. Last week eight aldermen, along with County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado, met with Police Supt. Jody Weis to discuss fears within the Hispanic community that Chicago police officers were engaged in racial profiling and asking about their citizenship status. Deputy Patrol Supt. Beatrice Cuello told the committee that the department does not tolerate violations of the 2006 ordinance. She pointed to a number of initiatives the department is undertaking to address recent complaints by Hispanic immigrants including training on immigration policy and racial profiling. Cuello said the department is currently working with the Mexican consulate on an informational video that will inform Hispanic residents of their rights and procedures for making a complaint. Tina Skahill, chief of the department's internal affairs division, said that if an officer is found to have violated the city's immigration policy, their punishment could range from a reprimand to termination, depending on the officer's history. "We take all complaints seriously in the department," said Skahill. Solis applauded the public relations and training initiatives announced by the department, but said it was important to find out whether there were any violations of the law among the 59 reported cases. "I'm convinced that the majority of the police understand that this law exists and they're not collaborating," he said. "We are going to know for sure after they investigate the 59 incidents of arrest by Chicago police officers that were then referred to the county jail and then were held for ICE. We're going to find out where that break in the law happens." Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado (8th District) said yesterday that he had met with the state's attorney's office yesterday afternoon and was assured that they did not tip ICE to detainees' immigration status. As for the Chicago Police Department, Solis is pushing the idea that police officers should sign a "document of understanding" that they have been informed of the immigration policy and understand the consequences for breaking it. "That's going to assure, I think, that this law be upheld," said Solis.
Poster Comment: I would personally like to see all "Sanctuary Cities" walled off, filled in with sand and then turned into giant man made lakes with beach front property available. ;-)
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#1. To: Rotara (#0)
Get in line at Ellis Island you illegal bastards. And may the fed gov cut off any immigration for at least ten more years, while expelling all the illegals who are now here. And no more anchor babies, ever again.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
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