Monthly Archives: October 2009

After the political grandstanding ploy was announced by Toni Lawrence, Mike Sullivan, and Anne Clutterbuck in their quest to support wholesale round-ups of Latinos, some friends attempted to calm me down with word about a probable, or even likely, lack of quorum at today’s meeting.  After speaking to one member of Council, I felt a bit secure, yet, as I told that member and my friends, these people would use the opportunity to parade around, blame everything on brown people, and other Republican ploys to gain votes.

It was no surprise that after this epic racist fail, Pam Holm joined them at their post-show sideshow.

After the aborted meeting, City Council member Pam Holm joined the trio at a news conference calling for Mayor Bill White to hold a public meeting on whether the city should participate in the 287(g) program…

If ever one wanted a better reason to vote for Ronald Green, there it is.

One of the most laughable quotes of the side show belonged to Lawrence.

“I have never grandstanded in the six years I’ve been on the council. I’m very passionate about this.”

I guess she forgets about the middle class Mexican kid who came to the U.S. for medical treatment for swine flu.  Lawrence went on a tirade because the kid was not a citizen.  If that’s not grandstanding, I don’t know what it is.

I am looking forward to Mayor White’s report next week–a report which was already scheduled, yet Lawrence decided to push it up a week for her grandstanding ploy.

Note to Mayor White:  We’ll be looking for actual stats that the vast majority of those turned over to ICE were actual “dangerous felons” as was the goal of the program.  Let’s not be like the Sheriff’s Department who touts the 10,000 wholesale captures turned over to ICE without providing those same “dangerous felon” stats.

UPDATE:  Disappointments and A Whole Lotta Stupid

I just heard a story about the post-show sideshow, whether it’s funny or just plain stupid, I will leave up to you.  During the press conference, as the story goes, Lawrence was talking about running the criminal record of an El Salvadorean which came up with a hit, and then stated he had gotten deported back to Mexico. 

A friend of mine calls it a Freudian Slip, but I’m pretty sure Lawrence believes Salvadoreños are from Mexico.

Finally, I must say I am disappointed in my candidate for Mayor.  Apparently, KHOU reported that Annise Parker also attended the press conference.

“City Controller Annise Parker, who’s also running for mayor, attended and applauded the city council members who spoke for 287(g). ”

Great way to solidify that Latino Vote!

Kuff also comments.

Pro-Migrant activists are at the Harris County Commissioner’s Court today asking them to not re-enter into a costly anti-immigrant program called 287(g).  What is truly a liability to the County beyond the racial profiling risks, including effects on law enforcement practices and crime fighting, should be stopped.  Instead Sheriff Garcia and the Commissioner’s Court should take a leadership role in demanding the only real solution:  Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

At every debate and forum, Houston’s mayoral candidates have stated their support of 287(g) as a means of improving public safety, while touting the diversity and international flavor of Houston.  But as outgoing LAPD Chief Bill Bratton stated in an op-ed in the LA Times:

Some in Los Angeles have asked why the LAPD doesn’t participate. My officers can’t prevent or solve crimes if victims or witnesses are unwilling to talk to us because of the fear of being deported. That basic fact led to the implementation almost 30 years ago of the LAPD’s policy on immigrants, which has come to be known as Special Order 40. The order prohibits LAPD officers from initiating contact with someone solely to determine whether they are in the country legally. The philosophy that underlies that policy is simple: Criminals are the biggest benefactors when immigrants fear the police. We can’t solve crimes that aren’t reported because the victims are afraid to come forward to the police.

Bottom Line:  All 287(g) does is instill fear in the Latino community.  The resources spent on this program could better serve our City in the realm of actual crime-fighting, perhaps even crime research to get ahead of the criminal organizations.  Instead, it seems the politicians are using it for political purposes to somehow impress the right-wing.  Well, that too, has been proven to fail.

Instead, the politicians and law enforcement leaders should take the advice of their brethren.

The Police Foundation published a report in April titled “The Role of Local Police: Striking a Balance Between Immigration Enforcement and Civil Liberties.” The report confirms that when local police enforce immigration laws, it undermines their core public safety mission, diverts scarce resources, increases their exposure to liability and litigation, and exacerbates fear in communities that are already distrustful of police.

The report concluded that to optimize public safety, the federal government must enact comprehensive immigration reform. As police chief of one of the most diverse cities in the United States, and possibly the world, I agree.

I agree, too, Chief.

UPDATE:  Harris County Commissioner’s Court has given 287(g) back to Sheriff Garcia, according to Alex Sanz of KHOU.  Politics, as usual, prevails.