A Response to Govenor Pawlenty's Proposal to Pass Anti-Immigration Legislation
I'd like to state my opinion regarding the negative effects of the Pawlenty's proposed anti-immigration legislation. There's also a close correlation between the impact of this proposed legislation with city policy and practice, particularly regarding the role of public safety officials.
It is clear that the enforcement of immigration policy is a federal issue and NOT a state or city responsibility. This has been wisely recognized by both the Minneapolis and St. Paul City Councils in the passage of ordinances that in no way limit the ability of officials to investigate suspected criminal activity. In fact, one could argue that adding immigration responsibilities to an already over-burdened police force will make it less likely that they will have time to identify and arrest criminals, regardless of where they were born. The January 4th, 2006 press release from the offices of both Mayors and Chiefs of Police in Minneapolis and St. Paul, clearly states opposition to "Govenor Pawlenty's attempt to intervene in our ability to protect and serve people in our cities with misguided, unfunded, and unworkable approaches that would not improve the safety of our citizens in any substantial fashion..."
Such policies will lead to an increased need for law enforcement to racial profile. If the proposed laws are passed, police will be asked to seek out undocumented individuals and to check visa status and place of birth. Such practices will likely reverse progress that has been made in preventing racial profiling. The Minnesota statute prohibiting racial profiling states that "the legislature finds that the reality or public perception of racial profiling alienates people from police, hinders community policing efforts, and causes law enforcement to lose credibility and trust among the people law enforcement is sworn to protect and serve." Surely this statute should serve as a precendent and a framework for Govenor Pawlenty's actions!
-Louisa Hext
It is clear that the enforcement of immigration policy is a federal issue and NOT a state or city responsibility. This has been wisely recognized by both the Minneapolis and St. Paul City Councils in the passage of ordinances that in no way limit the ability of officials to investigate suspected criminal activity. In fact, one could argue that adding immigration responsibilities to an already over-burdened police force will make it less likely that they will have time to identify and arrest criminals, regardless of where they were born. The January 4th, 2006 press release from the offices of both Mayors and Chiefs of Police in Minneapolis and St. Paul, clearly states opposition to "Govenor Pawlenty's attempt to intervene in our ability to protect and serve people in our cities with misguided, unfunded, and unworkable approaches that would not improve the safety of our citizens in any substantial fashion..."
Such policies will lead to an increased need for law enforcement to racial profile. If the proposed laws are passed, police will be asked to seek out undocumented individuals and to check visa status and place of birth. Such practices will likely reverse progress that has been made in preventing racial profiling. The Minnesota statute prohibiting racial profiling states that "the legislature finds that the reality or public perception of racial profiling alienates people from police, hinders community policing efforts, and causes law enforcement to lose credibility and trust among the people law enforcement is sworn to protect and serve." Surely this statute should serve as a precendent and a framework for Govenor Pawlenty's actions!
-Louisa Hext
posted by Jewish Community Action Staff at 9:00 AM
1 Comments:
Winds of bigotry towards people of color are being whipped up with House
passage recently of the Border Protection Anti Terrorism and Illegal Immigration
Control Act (HR 4437). Advocates of social justice and fair play lost round one
of what promises to be a nasty, prolonged political fight. This bill passed
within 10 days of its introduction with strong Republican support including that
of third district Rep. Jim Ramstad. Did you know about it? Probably not.
Speakers at the Jan. 10 Forum on Comprehensive Immigration Reform in St. Paul
sought unified community support for realistic, fair and comprehensive
immigration reform. A standing room only crowd including staff and volunteers
from Jewish Community Action lent their voices to affirm “the dignity of people
under documented religious and civic traditions required to serve the needs of
people,” in the words of Archbishop Harry Flynn of the Catholic Church.
The call to action now is to write letters to senators Coleman and Dayton and
ask them to vote against the senate version of HR 4437 and instead support the
more humane McCain-Kennedy Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S 1033)
that would grant legal passes to law-abiding undocumented immigrants.
HR 4437 is the most restrictive immigration bill in decades and would strip
immigrants of judicial review and due process while criminalizing help that US
citizens give undocumented immigrants. Speaking against the gestapo-like
recruitment of local police to enforce immigration laws were Minneapolis and St.
Paul deputy police chiefs who emphasized that their roles are to protect and
serve, not to intimidate people with racial profiling based on their skin
color. Poor immigrants are victims of crime, but if they knew that police would
arrest them without a green card then crimes against them would not be reported.
Low-skilled immigrants, mostly from Mexico and Guatemala, are being recruited
by US businesses for low-paying jobs. The irony is that federal immigration
only issues less than one percent of all visas to low-wage unskilled workers.
HR 4437 seeks to organize police to roundup undocumented immigrants and deport
them. Flynn argues that immigrants come to this country to improve the quality
of life for their families and they shouldn’t be required to “hide in the
shadows isolated from family members” and be the objects of resentment and
ridicule.
HR 4437 “jeopardizes public safety and is anti-American,” said Minneapolis
Mayor R. T. Ryback, who added that the City Council and police department favor
laws that build public trust. Reach out and build partnerships to humanize this
issue against the threat of tyranny by a majority, he added.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said he will engage in this battle with
“no-nothings of the 21st century pushing race-baiting against people who look
different. Let’s fight it; it’s morally wrong,” said Coleman.
The hour-long meeting adjourned with a call for a united voice to be heard by
writing senators and signing Fair Immigration Reform petitions.
David Zarkin
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