I don’t know if it’s Mayor Bill White, or a Bill White, or even his campaign staff, but this response was left in my post on 287g by a “billwhite”.
I do not think local police should be diverted from investigating crimes to trying to check the immigration status of all working people. Latino leaders supported our policy announced two years ago of trying to identify those who are in jail who are deportable felons. The Department of Homeland Security Department has told us that we cannot have access to one of the federal databases, for use in the jail, without signing an agreement allowing that use. I have been consistent with using tools to check whether people who commit crimes are wanted on other crimes and asking all law enforcement to check their immigration status. Please remember that immigrants are frequently the victim of non-citizen violent criminals.
Mayor, or Mister, Bill White, thank you for the response. If it is actually Mayor White, then I must say that I’m honored to have you comment on DosCentavos.
That said, I do recall Mayor White’s past views regarding checking the status of convicted felons at the local jail, and I was one of those who somewhat supported that measure.
On Tuesday, it’s time to ask Mayor White again to stop any changes to HPD policy that would allow HPD to act as a local “Migra.” Although we’ve talked about how bringing 287g to Houston would indeed render HPD ineffective, there is also the possibility that City of Houston will mess with Public Order 500–the order which solidifies the statement left by “bill white”. But instead of a blog comment, the people need to hear it in person.
KEEP CONTACTING THE MAYOR’S OFFICE TO KEEP HPD FROM ENDING PUBLIC ORDER 500 AND ENFORCING IMMIGRATION LAW.
Please contact Mayor Bill White and let him know (resources and message below).
Mayor Bill White
City of Houston
PO Box 1562
Hou TX 77251
PH: 832-393-1000
EMAIL: mayor@cityofhouston.net
OR speak before City Council tomorrow:
Call City Secretary 832-393-1100 to speak before the City Council public hearing on Tues., March 31 at 2 pm.
Message
FOR EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS of this issue and talking points to support our position…GO TO National Immigration Forum at www.immigrationforum.org or directly to link
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/images/File/specialreport/CommunityPolicingPaper3-09.pdf
In general, the message is:
HPD already has an order (Public Order 500) that allows it to enforce any violation of criminal law, including criminal violations in immigration law.
Public Order 500 limits questioning for the sole purpose of establishing citizenship or for violations of civil immigration law. Being in the country without documents is
a civil violation not a criminal one.
Thus, HPD uses its resources wisely by focusing on criminal violations of law and not minor civil infractions.
More importantly, HPD policy strengthens public safety for all Houston residents.
Effective local policing relies on residents trusting the police. If any sector of the population, fears the police, then they will not report crimes, cooperate as witnesses or assist in investigations. It is a defacto forfeiting of their right to police services and protection.
It leaves criminals free to prey on this section of the community. For instance, a victim of domestic violence will hesitate to make a report if there is the belief that this action will lead to deportation. Reports of criminal activity will be suppressed or witnesses will refuse to come forward if people know that they or family members will be turned over to immigration authorities.
