Post by richardkelsey on Apr 9, 2008 6:40:04 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0409/Letters/024.html
287(g) program would coordinate federal, local efforts
I am writing in response to the comments of Frank Argote-Freyre disparaging the proposal of Richard Kelsey that Freehold Borough adopt the federal program 287(g). Mr. Argote- Freyre's comments in the form of a letter to the editor were recently published in your newspaper under the headline "Federal 287(g) Program Would Not Be Constructive Action."
Mr. Argote-Freyre began his comments by identifying Mr. Kelsey, who advocates for program 287(g), as "a representative of the xenophobic fringe."
Of course, we in the anti-illegal immigration movement are used to our opponents using these types of smear tactics against us. We are aware that they are resorting to name calling because they have no logical or reasoned arguments with which to justify their support for illegal immigration.
In regard to program 287(g), I would point out that it is nothing more or less than a useful tool available to a local community to help them to enforce the law. The fact is that cooperation between federal and local law enforcement goes on all the time in our society.
For example, bank robbery is a federal crime. However, if I happen to see a bank being robbed and call the local police, they do not respond by telling me to call the federal government and then hanging up on me. Immigration law is the only area in which local and federal law enforcement agencies fail to cooperate effectively. Immigration law is the no man's land of law enforcement and program 287(g) is designed to heal that breach.
Under the program, local police get training in immigration law, civil rights law, and cross-cultural communication. All procedures taught are in conformity with strict U.S. Department of Justice guidelines prohibiting racial profiling. Local police also get access to extensive computer files containing names, photos and fingerprints of individuals who have a file with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
These files would include information on the hundreds of thousands of convicted felons and illegal immigrants who have already been deported but who have sneaked back into our country and who are roaming around under the radar of local police who do not have access to these files. The training and access to computer data bases given to local police under program 287(g) help them to do their job of protecting the community.
Mr. Argote- Freyre's statistics about how U.S. born adult men are incarcerated at a higher rate that that of foreign born men are suspect as he makes no distinction between foreignborn men who are legal immigrants and those who are illegal. This refusal to distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants is, unfortunately, quite common among those who advocate for the illegal immigrant community.
The fact is that illegal immigrants have broken the law by coming here in the first place. In addition, they generally have to continue to break the law in order to remain here by engaging in various illegal activities such as using forged Social Security cards, identity theft, driving without licenses, etc. The fact that they are not incarcerated only speaks to the need for program 287(g), which would enable local law enforcement to put an end to their illegal activities.
Program 287(g) is a tool to help local police do their job. Adoption of the program by local police should be advocated by all those who want to see the rule of law respected and enforced in their community.
Gayle Kesselman
Co-Chair
New Jersey Citizens
for Immigration Control
Carlstadt
287(g) program would coordinate federal, local efforts
I am writing in response to the comments of Frank Argote-Freyre disparaging the proposal of Richard Kelsey that Freehold Borough adopt the federal program 287(g). Mr. Argote- Freyre's comments in the form of a letter to the editor were recently published in your newspaper under the headline "Federal 287(g) Program Would Not Be Constructive Action."
Mr. Argote-Freyre began his comments by identifying Mr. Kelsey, who advocates for program 287(g), as "a representative of the xenophobic fringe."
Of course, we in the anti-illegal immigration movement are used to our opponents using these types of smear tactics against us. We are aware that they are resorting to name calling because they have no logical or reasoned arguments with which to justify their support for illegal immigration.
In regard to program 287(g), I would point out that it is nothing more or less than a useful tool available to a local community to help them to enforce the law. The fact is that cooperation between federal and local law enforcement goes on all the time in our society.
For example, bank robbery is a federal crime. However, if I happen to see a bank being robbed and call the local police, they do not respond by telling me to call the federal government and then hanging up on me. Immigration law is the only area in which local and federal law enforcement agencies fail to cooperate effectively. Immigration law is the no man's land of law enforcement and program 287(g) is designed to heal that breach.
Under the program, local police get training in immigration law, civil rights law, and cross-cultural communication. All procedures taught are in conformity with strict U.S. Department of Justice guidelines prohibiting racial profiling. Local police also get access to extensive computer files containing names, photos and fingerprints of individuals who have a file with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
These files would include information on the hundreds of thousands of convicted felons and illegal immigrants who have already been deported but who have sneaked back into our country and who are roaming around under the radar of local police who do not have access to these files. The training and access to computer data bases given to local police under program 287(g) help them to do their job of protecting the community.
Mr. Argote- Freyre's statistics about how U.S. born adult men are incarcerated at a higher rate that that of foreign born men are suspect as he makes no distinction between foreignborn men who are legal immigrants and those who are illegal. This refusal to distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants is, unfortunately, quite common among those who advocate for the illegal immigrant community.
The fact is that illegal immigrants have broken the law by coming here in the first place. In addition, they generally have to continue to break the law in order to remain here by engaging in various illegal activities such as using forged Social Security cards, identity theft, driving without licenses, etc. The fact that they are not incarcerated only speaks to the need for program 287(g), which would enable local law enforcement to put an end to their illegal activities.
Program 287(g) is a tool to help local police do their job. Adoption of the program by local police should be advocated by all those who want to see the rule of law respected and enforced in their community.
Gayle Kesselman
Co-Chair
New Jersey Citizens
for Immigration Control
Carlstadt
