Op-Ed: "Immigration: Law Enforcement is in the Middle"

APB · 08-25-10, 01:28 PM

ed.: This opinion-editorial piece will appear in the next issue of American Police Beat. We are putting it out here ahead of time.

Immigration: Law Enforcement is in the Middle
October 2010 edition: American Police Beat

by Dennis Slocumb

There have been a myriad of opinions regarding Arizona’s SB1070 and its impact on everyone involved. Clearly, the majority of Americans agree with the concept of deporting illegal entrants, particularly those who have brought attention to themselves by their criminal conduct.

It does not seem that any of our government’s leaders want to do anything but talk about addressing the issue. Businesses and agriculture benefit from the inexpensive labor while the liberals sees immigration only in terms of human rights. Both ignore the fundamental underlying factor that some of the persons in the country illegally are causing problems beyond their mere presence.

Law enforcement is on the tip of the spear in this philosophical battle. They are required to enforce the laws of the land, but accused of racism, profiling and insensitivity when that enforcement involves the arrest of people who are in the country illegally.

There are hundreds of reported incidents involving criminality wherein the perpetrator was in the country illegally. Recently a nun was killed in Virginia by a drunk driver, here without papers and now charged with his THIRD drunk driving arrest. It is shameful that the man had to kill someone before the ICE folks took notice. These stories are repeated across the nation daily. It is the ICE policy in Harris County, Texas, that those non-violent crimes, such as drunk driving will not prompt deportation until after multiple offences.

It is little wonder that the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council and its affiliated locals made a unanimous vote of “No Confidence” in the leadership of their agency. In their letter announcing their vote, they accused ICE Director John Morton and Assistant Director Phyllis Coven of “misguided and reckless initiatives” which, they claim provides “amnesty through policy.” Most ICE agents are now allowed only to take custody of illegal immigrants who are already in the custody of another agency for other crimes. If those crimes are non violent in nature, such as drunk driving, these aliens are generally not further detained nor deported by ICE officers.

It is apparent to the public that the Federal Government has abandoned its responsibility to enforce immigration laws. What is hard to grasp is this administration’s refusal to allow those states most impacted by this national neglect, to take it upon themselves to conduct such enforcement.

There are, by conservative estimates, more than 12 million illegal immigrants in this country. There are 7,000 ICE enforcement agents. If there is to be any meaningful enforcement of immigration statutes, a cooperative effort with state and local law enforcement is the only viable alternative. To judicially bar such efforts is clear testimony to the opposition of the Department of Homeland Security to any consistent and meaningful enforcement of federal laws regarding immigration.

Emergency rooms in Border States are usually packed with illegal immigrants who, through no fault of their own, are forced to use the facilities as their primary medical care. Schools are over crowded, many of the seats being occupied by children who are either in the country illegally or are the offspring of those who are. People who live in the areas impacted by these realities are understandably both frustrated and angry.

We recognize that law enforcement personnel have been reduced by the fiscal challenges faced by states, cities and counties. We likewise know that police officers are busier now than ever before and have little free time to take over the responsibility of the federal government. But when they have already identified someone involved in a criminal act, even a minor one, as an unlawful immigrant, that person should be dealt with effectively and immediately by those who are constitutionally tasked with such efforts.

We completely and wholeheartedly support our brothers and sisters in the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council and will work cooperatively with them to bring change and public awareness to policies and protocols which, we believe, are counterproductive to the public’s safety and to any meaningful dialog geared towards finding a remedy to the dilemma of illegal immigration. We believe we must get beyond the sloganeered, bumper sticker rhetoric and name calling which is corrosive to any meaningful debate and dialog.

We do not believe that the wholesale deportation of all persons in the nation illegally is even logistically practical. We do believe, however, that those who come into contact with the law enforcement community due to their criminal behavior and are found to be in the country unlawfully should be deported after a due process hearing confirms their illegal presence here – the first time.

We further believe that the resources required to achieve that goal must be put into place. To have a law in place that is ignored, even by those tasked to enforce that statute is inane. It is past time to either enact meaningful reform, or make the existing law work. Either would take political courage and bi-partisan pragmatism and sadly there is not a lot of either to be found floating around Washington, D.C. on the eve of an election.

Dennis Slocumb is the International Vice President, Legislative Affairs
for the International Union of Police Associations.

**Five-0** · 08-25-10, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by APB

We do not believe that the wholesale deportation of all persons in the nation illegally is even logistically practical.

Going to disagree with this point.

**pgg** · 08-25-10, 04:19 PM

I have to agree with five-0 also. Just simply give officers the ability to do it, it would be easy. Simple traffic stops cause officers to contact hundreds of illlegals a day. Officers don't even need to to deviate from their normal routine to start having a positive effect. I can tell you that it would significantly reduce our crime in my county if officers were allowed to enforce immigration law.

**Five-0** · 08-25-10, 05:07 PM

If what pgg talked about started happening across the board there would be a mass self deportation. Give every illegal three months to self deport, after that if you are caught you would never be allowed to have anykind of legal immigration status. It would work, as AZ was starting to experience reduction of their illegal population as the enforcement date of their new law neared. Thank the feds for screwing that up.

**Xiphos** · 08-25-10, 07:42 PM

All we need to do is hammer the financial crap out of employers who employee illegals. Then require legal residency for children to be enrolled in school. The Border Patrol will be waving to everyone walking south. No deportation necessary.

**BigDawg** · 08-25-10, 07:45 PM

I think the country that the illegal is from should be given the bill for sending them back. They might be more willing in helping to secure their borders if they have to pay.

**BigDawg** · 08-25-10, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

All we need to do is hammer the financial crap out of employers who employee illegals. Then require legal residency for children to be enrolled in school. The Border Patrol will be waving to everyone walking south. No deportation necessary.

Plus don't allow them the ability to any government handouts, bonds, grants, or anything else. I also think that they shouldn't be able to file law suits or any other court actions (if they are victims the state files on their behalf). And every landlord should be required to conduct a check of all potential and current renters, if they are illegal then they cant rent or buy any properties here.

**MacLean** · 08-25-10, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

Going to disagree with this point.

I agree - who the hell is this "we" he is talking about?

Union people sound way too much like politicians and little like cops.

**Motorwaycop** · 08-26-10, 10:12 AM

We wouldn't have the capacity in either police cells or jails to house the number of people illegally here if there was to be a determined enforcement effort.
Most people would need to be held somewhere for a brief period prior to deportation,not that that will happen,EVER, too many appeals and other obstacles to overcome.

**pgg** · 08-26-10, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by BigDawg

Plus don't allow them the ability to any government handouts, bonds, grants, or anything else. I also think that they shouldn't be able to file law suits or any other court actions (if they are victims the state files on their behalf). And every landlord should be required to conduct a check of all potential and current renters, if they are illegal then they cant rent or buy any properties here.

Remember CA tried that years ago with Prop 187. It was ruled "unconstitutional"

**MacLean** · 08-26-10, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Motorwaycop

We wouldn't have the capacity in either police cells or jails to house the number of people illegally here if there was to be a determined enforcement effort.
Most people would need to be held somewhere for a brief period prior to deportation,not that that will happen,EVER, too many appeals and other obstacles to overcome.

I bet I can come up with buses to put them on, complete with air conditioning while they wait to fill up and drive south.

**Ducky** · 08-26-10, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by MacLean

I bet I can come up with buses to put them on, complete with air conditioning while they wait to fill up and drive south.

Or load 'em like cattle on an Airbus and ship them to Afghanistan. (Sorry, not in a really charitable mood this afternoon)

**MacLean** · 08-26-10, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

Or load 'em like cattle on an Airbus and ship them to Afghanistan. (Sorry, not in a really charitable mood this afternoon)

Tsk, tsk.

American made planes, Ducky - Boeing.

No reason to continue to subsidize Europe.

**Captain America** · 08-26-10, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by MacLean

Tsk, tsk.

American made planes, Ducky - Boeing.

No reason to continue to subsidize Europe.

Well , how about using a BUFF instead. Load them up in the bomb bay and the plane wouldn't even have to land. It would be raining illegals. I'm in a worst mood than Ducky.

**Ducky** · 08-26-10, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by MacLean

Tsk, tsk.

American made planes, Ducky - Boeing.

No reason to continue to subsidize Europe.

Fine, although I was going for size and thought Airbus had the record for that. How about a Boeing 777?

Originally Posted by Captain America

Well , how about using a BUFF instead. Load them up in the bomb bay and the plane wouldn't even have to land. It would be raining illegals. I'm in a worst mood than Ducky.

Try a caffeine nasal rinse.

**MacLean** · 08-26-10, 01:02 PM

I'm pretty sure air dropping people may present a constitutional issue.

I'm wary that commentary like that is why we have commentary like the good politician who wrote the article.

There is a reasoned, constitutional, humane, and just method for handling this problem.

We have the logistical capacity in our military, and the initial expense would be a safer investment then where some of our federal money is going.

**Captain America** · 08-26-10, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by MacLean

I'm pretty sure air dropping people may present a constitutional issue.

I'm wary that commentary like that is why we have commentary like the good politician who wrote the article.

There is a reasoned, constitutional, humane, and just method for handling this problem.

We have the logistical capacity in our military, and the initial expense would be a safer investment then where some of our federal money is going.

Relax Mac. That was meant as a tongue -in-cheek statement among friends. Told you I was in bad humor today. I agree with everyone who posted that the problem can be handle by allowing law enforcement officers on every level to enforcement the laws we have on the books humanely. (

) Reducing incentives for being / coming here illegally would put a hell of a dent in the problem.

**Captain America** · 08-26-10, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

Fine, although I was going for size and thought Airbus had the record for that. How about a Boeing 777?

Try a caffeine nasal rinse.

I'm sure sooner or later you will be the reason I inhale some more coffee.

**Ducky** · 08-26-10, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Captain America

I'm sure sooner or later you will be the reason I inhale some more coffee.

I'll try my best.

**bayern** · 08-27-10, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by BigDawg

I think the country that the illegal is from should be given the bill for sending them back. They might be more willing in helping to secure their borders if they have to pay.

YEAH, deduct it from the friggen foreign aid we dispense through out the world. What Mexico would owe us would pay off what we owe China.