Tuesday, October 27, 2009

LA police chief for reform; not 287(g)


Chief William Bratton says passing immigration reform will make "every American neighborhood much safer."

Bratton, one of the most well-known police chiefs in the country, writes in a Los Angeles Times op-ed this morning that he opposes the federal 287(g) program that allows local law enforcement to double as federal immigration agents. He says the program stops immigrants from reporting crimes for fear of being deported.

It’s an interesting move for the outgoing police chief to insert himself into such a controversial debate. He will take some heat for his stance. Bratton, also the former police chief in Boston and New York, has never shied away from the spotlight. He once considered politics in New York, but he told LA Weekly this spring that he wasn't planning to run for office. He has since put his $1.8 million home up for sale and may be moving to Great Britain for a job at Scotland Yard, according to the Times.

He certainly picked a good time for making a big splash. The immigration debate is only expected to pick up as the White House prepares its strategy to pass comprehensive immigration reform next year.

In his column, Bratton also responds to queries about why he didn’t join 287(g) like many other law enforcement agencies. He says the program damages the trust police have with immigrants.

The 287(g) program is run in Charlotte. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff was one of the first to join the program back in 2006. Critics say the program is more often used to nab minor offenders, but it should be noted that the Mecklenburg program is operated in the jail and deputies are not out searching for illegal immigrants – as is the case in some other major cities.

“We must pass immigration reform and bring our neighbors out of the shadows so they get the police service they need and deserve,” Bratton says. “When officers can speak freely with victims and witnesses, it goes a long way toward making every American neighborhood much safer.”

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

ANOTHER BUTT KISSING POLITICAL PAWN! I BET THAT STEW BUM DIRTBAG MAYOR IS EXPLODING IN HIS PANTS. SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO IS THE ONLY PUBLIC SERVANT WITH "TRUE GRIT". HE IS IN HIS 5TH. TERM WITH AN 80% APPROVAL RATING! WHY? BECAUSE REAL AMERICANS WANT A REAL AMERICA. SOON SHERIFF JOE WILL BE THE HONORABLE GOV.JOE ARPAIO, THE SOONER THE BETTER!

Anonymous said...

Send this panderer packing with the illegals. Secure the border!

Anonymous said...

This moron should not even be in law enforcement.

Anonymous said...

Great, let's make it even more safe. In addition to doing away with 287g let's do away with the FBI's NCIC (National Crime Information Center) computer system that allows any local cop to do an immediate, nationwide check on wants/warrants. Let's pass laws forbidding cops from routinely running car plate numbers in hotel parking lots in places like Vegas.

I lived in LA from 1978 to 1990. My in-laws are still there. It's a cesspool... absolutely unlivable.

Anonymous said...

The only "immigration reform" this country needs is to enforce the laws on the books, and just start busing, railroading, marching all illegals back to where they came from.

If they want in let them do it legally, and then they can all stay at francos house.

This column is like a morning flush, disturbingly timely, and without much in the way of variety or insight. Feels good to let it go though..

Anonymous said...

This is the same Bill Bratton who says there is no brown on black crime wave in Los Angeles. But it's well known and well documented that Mexican Mafia linked gangs are randomly killing black people all over Los Angeles. This fact has been documented by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the History Channel show "Gangland."

Anonymous said...

If you haven't done anything wrong you won't fear speaking to the police... oh wait, they are not just immigrants as it says in the article - they are ILLEGAL immigrants. Why would this law enforcement officer not want to use a legal tool to help find law breakers... this is just crazy. Politics and greed is what it all boils down to.

Anonymous said...

LETS FACE IT! WHEN THE BABBLER IN THE WHITE HOUSE GIVES THE LAWBREAKERS AMNESTY, THEY WILL HAVE BOUGHT ALL THOSE CHEAP VOTES. NEXT! THEY VOTE TO CHANGE THE LAWS THEY DON'T LIKE, JUST LIKE THAT TRASHED LITTERBOX CALLED SAN FRANCISCO. ITS ALL ABOUT POWER, AND THE HELL WITH THE COUNTRY.

Sammy said...

He's against the 287g program because if he were to participate he'd have to arrest half the city of LA -- and that would be a lot of work.

Too bad -- send them all back to wherever they rightfully belong. And that's definitely not here.

Brittanicus said...

As I perceive it the hardest place to install E-Verify, 287 G, or even directing ICE to raid employers is Sanctuary Cities and even States? CALIFORNIA seems to be the epitome of Sanctuary States, but it is estimated to be 127 cities and towns that ignore the US government. San Francisco and Los Angeles stands out as being Sanctuary cities where it's mayors Galvin Newsom and Antonio R. Villaraigosa, along with an compliment of police departments who have cultivated over the years a refuge for the impoverished illegal immigrants, illegal criminal of other countries. Very few businesses have enforced E-Verify, because at this time there is no mandatory law, except for federal contractors/subcontractors. Sen. Sessions has at this time been the fortress against illegal immigration through the Bush and now President Obama administrations. He is determined to adjoin E-Verify as a permanent amendment to the Senate Unemployment benefit extension bill H.R.3548 for 14 weeks. In the same amendment Sen. Sessions would require new applicants for unemployment compensation to have their citizenship status verified using E-Verify. The computer software program E-Verify could also be used for identifying applicants for drivers licenses, automotive insurance, all health care benefits, real estate purchases and mortgage and of course ineligible workers. Even the Public option if enacted in health care could be used to verify all positive recipients and over time become a very sophisticated matrix of data bases to reject ineligible applicants for government benefits.

Senate leaders are currently negotiating which amendments will be considered for the bill, and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is trying to prevent a vote on the amendment altogether. E-Verify is becoming a significant potent weapon against illegal immigration in the ongoing battle. It has come under constant legal bombardment by a long list of open border organizations, including the US chamber of Commerce. E-Verify however remains intact, although other enforcement tools such as 287 G, has been weakened by Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano. Without millions of dollars being appropriated, E-Verify on a continuous basis can eradicate illegal labor for pennies. No need for mass deportation as E-Verify will streamline removal of foreign nationals, owing to parasite businesses will be in incessant fear of being fined or sentenced to a prison term if apprehended by ICE for using illegal workers. As with 2010 census? Those who entered without--THE PEOPLE'S--permission, have violated our laws, and should not, must not be allowed to be enumerated in the decennial census? Is Washington so sure that they will pass this 2nd Amnesty, when Ted Kennedy previous comprehensive immigration reform turned into fraudulent travesty?

Ordinary American workers have become watchdogs for suspicious activity in the working environment. My blogs, comments and articles are limited in information, but keep this issue under public scrutiny. For more details of malevolent politicians who need to be constantly reminded who they work for? For immigration enforcement grading NUMBERSUSA. To light a fire under nonchalant politicians who are selling American workers futures to highest bidder contact WASHINGTON at 202-224-3121 As easily as you voted for these people, you can vote them OUT? Demand NO--MORE--AMNESTIES. Rebuild a two-tier Southern border fence as originally intended. TELL THEM YOU WANT PERMANENT E-VERIFY FOR EVERY WORKER, WHO’S ON A PAYROLL. STAND WITH SEN. SESSIONS. Study the corruption in every level of government at JUDICIAL WATCH. Read about unstoppable OVERPOPULATION GROWTH at CAPSWEB. Read lists of legislators are trying to push through another path to citizenship--alias AMNESTY at http://tinyurl.com/CIR-letter-to-POTUS. THESE CONGRESSMAN/ WOMEN WANT TO STEAL YOUR JOB AND GIVE IT TO ILLEGAL ALIENS? KEEP THEM EMBOSSED IN YOUR MEMORY AND UNSEAT THEM WHEN THEY COME FORWARD FOR RE-ELECTION.

Anonymous said...

less politics, tell a real person what you feel. Would like to see what you realy don't tell a non-look-a-like in your path. Real americans? A free country might not mean the same for you real american as is for immigrants who by majority will work, wait maybe, teach them how not to work, or work less, or MILK THE CLOCK! The only people who say don't, are those who feel threaten, tell this purisism on your illegal grandparants, they be thrilled to know how proud americans are.

Smartyf said...

A real American would be what you would call an American Indian wouldn't it? You guys are dim bulbs, because you couldn't afford to buy food if "illegal immigrants" didn't pick and process it for you. This man is actually informed on the issues so of course you have to denounce him. You want the illegals to leave? Prosecute and jail or fine the crap out of those who hire them. If they couldn't find jobs they wouldn't come here.

Smartyf said...

BTW, if you are so sure of your convictions why don't you sign your comments? "Anonymous" is kind of wimpy out!

Anonymous said...

I agree prosecute those who hire illegals... and if you want to only keep the ones who are picking food you will find that is a very small number...

Anonymous said...

the rise in food prices would be offset by the cost in schools, hospitals, fraud, etc. you need to understand the issues....

Sammy said...

Hey smarty, how exactly were people able to afford food before the invasion of illegals into this country? Would food cost more without them? Sure -- but far less than it costs to educate and treat them and their copiously produced offspring. And instead of paying the chronically unemployed citizens to do nothing on welfare, we could instead offer them work doing the "jobs that Americans won't do".

The only thing you state that makes any sense is prosecuting the employers -- unfortunately Maobama and his Democrat cohorts in Congress are doing everything within their power to prevent any serious efforts in this area.

Smartyf said...

Keep on drinking that kool-ade. If you want to believe that food costs will not rise or that we are not a nation of immigrants or that a guy who is on his way to work for Scotland Yard is some shill for those you disagree with then keep on screaming in hopes that someone will listen.

Smartyf said...

Yo Sammy,

Before the illegals there were the Okies and you seem to be advocating slave labor since there are no more Okies. If you lose your job are you willing to become a migrant laborer? Do you actually believe the Republicans haven't been protecting employers of illegals for years and that Obama created this problem? You are wrong to blame any political party: they are both equal opportunity liars. Blame John Locke. Things are not going to change because the ones with the power serve the ones with the money (Locke) and you and I don't matter because if we rebel we just get a new set of opportunists determined to steal from us. Concentrate on what makes you happy and accept your lot and if you want to understand why there are chronically unemployed read Steinbeck's treatise on non-teleological philosophy (Sea of Cortez or maybe Travels With Charlie, it's also in the Portable Steinbeck). Steinbeck may have been a borderline commie, but he lived the American dream so jump in, it's not contagious. If you believe that I am wrong, anonymous has plenty of kool-ade so drink up.

Defensores de Democracia said...

On February of year 2008, I said that Obama would be a Great President, and I put a little grain of sand.

My persuasion of Obama's Greatness has only grown with time.

He is the best guy to tackle the Greatest Historical Problem : The Absurd Idiotic Wars. All other problems are bananas and small potatoes before the Court of History.

Another Problem that Mr Obama should work with care, caution and prudence is Immigration.

I am aware of the Hawks and Dogs of War. And I am aware of the Super Racists, Haters and Madmen against any Immigration. So I know that we need a Great Man like Obama. The same for Health Care and all the Nuts from the Extreme Right, that are now controlling the Republican Party.


Character of Obama according to Newsweek - Cover Story "Yes, He Can", A Liberal's Survival Guide - Hope Springs Eternal

Newsweek
Cover Story
Yes, He Can", A Liberal's Survival Guide - Hope Springs Eternal
Assessing a young presidency. Barack Obama campaigned as a populist firebrand but governs like a cerebral consensus builder. The founding fathers wouldn't have it any other way.

By Anna Quindlen
October 24, 2009

Hope Springs Eternal

http://www.newsweek.com/id/219371/page/2

Some excerpts :

Why has that not happened? One reason may be the president's essential character, which is at odds with the persona that developed during the campaign. Perhaps because of his race and his age, much of the electorate, especially those of us who are liberals, succumbed to stereotype and assumed that he was by way of being a firebrand. A year in, and we know that we deceived ourselves. He is methodical, thoughtful, cerebral, a believer in consensus and process. In an incremental system, Barack Obama is an incremental man. It is one reason he is taking his time ending the two wars in which we remain mired, Nobel Peace Prize notwithstanding
............................

In modern times, most true transformation has come through the judiciary: Brown, Roe, Miranda. Perhaps that is because consensus on the court is manageable, with only five of nine required, or because justices have life tenure, and need not spend their days looking to the next election, the focus group, the polls.
........................

So if the American people want the president to be more like the Barack Obama they elected, maybe they should start acting more like the voters who elected him, who forcibly and undeniably moved the political establishment to where it didn't want to go.
.............

When Sen. Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine, broke with her party to vote a health-care bill out of committee, she said, "When history calls, history calls." And it's not asking for baby steps.

More Obama Greatness here :

Milenials.com

Vicente Duque

Sammy said...

smarty, you have some kind of bizarre fascination with Kool-ade. As to the rest of your rambling treatise on Steinbeck and Locke??????? Give it a rest, the issue isn't this complex.

In a social welfare state such as the modern USA where activist judges have mandated a whole buffet of "freebies" low skilled uneducated English-challenged immigrants regardless of how hard working simply cost us more than they benefit us. That doesn't make them bad people, just not a good fit for our society. If they have no legal right to be here, then we need to do all we can to remove them and send them back where they rightfully belong.

There are certainly Republicans that can be blamed (Bush and McCain come to mind), but virtually every Democrat in power support efforts to thwart enforcement and deportation because they recognize they are future Democratic voters. The workplace enforcement measures that you state you support are deliberately being circumvented by Democratic politicians in Congress.

Anonymous said...

THE POLICE CHIEF IN SAN FRANCISCO IS ANOTHER PANDERING "BONE-SUCKER".HE CAME FROM MESA, AZ. WITH GOOD RIDDANCE.WHEN HE WAS IN MESA AZ. HE WOULDN'T DO SQUAT DIDDLY ABOUT ILLEGALS. JUST LIKE THE WORTHLESS JERK IN L.A. NO ONE WILL ENFORCE THE LAWS OF THE LAND, AND WE HAVE A SOCIALIST IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHO IS ANOTHER "BONE-SUCKER"! GREAT PRESIDENT? FOR WHO?

Smartyf said...

Sammy you are completely missing my point: it is about Locke or more specifically Lockian economics. Goods and services travel towards money which in simple terms means he who has the gold makes the rules. The issue of illegal immigrants is cheap labor who fear being deported if they complain about low pay or working conditions. It is a problem that Republican politicians give lip-service to but do nothing about because it would cost them campaign contributions. Much like the pro-life movement Republican politicians make a great show and express outrage in order to get votes, but they do nothing. Your contention that only a few "bad" Republicans are out there supporting a generally Democratic issue is delusional. The Republicans have controlled the White House and both Houses of Congress for most of the last 30 years. Wake up and smell the coffee: they only pretend to care about the issues and as long as you keep drinking their Kool-Ade (look up Jim Jones) they are perfectly happy to keep stringing you along. This question is far more complex than you understand and as a wise man once said: "There is always a well-known solution to every human problem--neat, plausible, and wrong." H. L. Mencken

Sammy said...

Well Smarty I must disagree with your analysis of the Republican party on this issue. Yes, I will absolutely grant that there were and continue to be an element within the party that has encouraged and/or at the very least tolerated the illegals but they are clearly a minority within the party. Look no further than the amnesty vote several years ago. There were perhaps 8 -10 of approximately 50 Republican Senators that voted for amnesty. Amongst the Democrats there were probably no more than 4 or 5 that voted against amnesty.

Yes, there are some Republican leaders and bigwigs that like the arrangement because it benefits some businesses with lower costs, but they are clearly in the minority here -- especially amongst the rank and file. The Democrats have supported loose immigration policy for over 40 years now because it means future voters -- a strategy I might add that has worked exceptionally well. It has served the Democratic Party brilliantly but has hurt our country tremendously.

I perfectly understand why there is the supply and demand for illegal immigrants and loose immigration policy in general, but again especially in a welfare state the true costs of illegals are borne by the taxpayer rather than the employer. In other words it is a great deal for the employers and the illegals and a very bad deal for the citizenry.

Yes, I know all about Jim Jones and the kool-aid, I was just remarking on your overuse of the line.

Smartyf said...

I'm glad you got the Kool-Ade reference but clearly you think our politicians actually represent us and not moneyed interests, so you are drinking it. As I pointed out the Republicans have been in power for twenty out of the last thirty years during which they have trumpeted issues like ending abortion rights and protecting our borders, and what have they actually done? Nothing except reduce taxes for the richest people in America. They have borrowed money at a pace that is unrivaled in history creating an unparalleled national debt, mostly held by China and Russia. China and Russia for God’s sake. They have virtually destroyed the middle class. They have mortgaged our future and given away the house. Yet you think the Democrats are the problem (and they were certainly complicit) because you believe the bulk of Republicans (the same ones who have held power for 20 of the last 30 years) are somehow your salvation. You think illegal aliens are the problem and they are not even a blip on the radar compared to what is really wrong. Please feel free to keep on beating your drum but pardon me if I’m tired of marching to that beat.

Defensores de Democracia said...

Smartyf said :

"You think illegal aliens are the problem and they are not even a blip on the radar compared to what is really wrong."

That's right ! ..... 100% correct !!

I agree with his analysis and with almost everything that he has said.

I am not advocating open borders and amnesty for everybody. That is absurd. Nobody is saying that in these forums.

The greatest Historical Problem of the USA is the Wars. Everything else is bananas and small potatoes.

If these wars are going to continue eternally they are going to do some damage.

Milenials.com

Vicente Duque

Defensores de Democracia said...

More Important than Immigration and Health Care :

Saving Face and Losing Lives - by House Representative Ron Paul from Texas, Document of October 14, 2009

AntiWar.com
by Rep. Ron Paul, October 14, 2009

Saving Face and Losing Lives

http://original.antiwar.com/paul/2009/10/13/saving-face-and-losing-lives/

Some excerpts :

I have other questions. We overthrew the Taliban government in 2001 with less than 10,000 American troops. Why does it now seem that the more troops we send, the worse things get? If the Soviets bankrupted themselves in Afghanistan with troop levels of 100,000 and were eventually forced to leave in humiliating defeat, why are we determined to follow their example? Most importantly, what is there to be gained from all this? We’ve invested billions of dollars and thousands of precious lives – for what?

The truth is it is no coincidence that the more troops we send the worse things get. Things are getting worse precisely because we are sending more troops and escalating the violence. We are hoping that good leadership wins out in Afghanistan, but the pool of potential honest leaders from which to draw has been fleeing the violence, leaving a tremendous power vacuum behind. War does not quell bad leaders. It creates them. And the more war we visit on this country, the more bad leaders we will inadvertently create.

Another thing that war does is create anger with its indiscriminate violence and injustice. How many innocent civilians have been harmed from clumsy bombings and mistakes that end up costing lives? People die from simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time in a war zone, but the killers never face consequences. Imagine the resentment and anger survivors must feel when a family member is killed and nothing is done about it. When there are no other jobs available because all the businesses have fled, what else is there to do but join ranks with the resistance, where there is a paycheck and also an opportunity for revenge? This is no justification for our enemies over there, but we have to accept that when we push people, they will push back.
....................

At this point we are only strengthening the resolve and the ranks of our enemies. We have nothing left to win. We are only there to save face, and in the end we will not even be able to do that.

The Imbecility of War and the Idiots that fan the flames :

Prophesizing.com

Vicente Duque

cltindependent said...

Why are there so many ignorant racists in Charlotte? Or maybe they are just more vocal. Joe Arapio is not a hero, he's a coward. 287G is a joke. Local law enforcement are not immigration officials. The U.S. government should enforce those laws and not leave it up to local police. All that stupid rule does is make immigrants fear the police. Also you can not look at someone and tell if they are here legally or illegally. To even try is racist and stupid.

Anonymous said...

TO CTLINDEPENDENT! HEY JACKASS!SHERIFF JOE'S OFFICERS WERE TRAINED BY ICE, AND HAD THE CREDENTIALS AND SCHOOLING TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAW. SHERIFF ARPAIO HAS BEEN RE-ELECTED 5 TIMES. ONLY THE "ILLEGAL TRASH" FEAR ARPAIO. JUST LOOK AT CALIFORNIA AND ASK YOURSELF, IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT FOR AMERICA?

Smartyf said...

Anonymous,

Turn off the caps lock button. Back away from the computer. Dress appropriately and go for a nice long walk. Read a good book. Do some volunteer work. Listen to someone else's point of view and recognize there is no need to get apoplectic if you disagree, their opinion is only that, their opinion, and not a personal attack upon you. Try to be a better father, friend and husband. Get over yourself and unclench those cheeks. You will live longer and you will be happier. Nobody is trying to screw you out of what's yours: nothing is yours anyway, it's all God's.

cltindependent said...

SmartyF,

I couldn't have said it better myself, thanks. I laughed out loud when I read that rant. Everyone still has a right to their own opinion no matter how stupid. And if someone doesn't agree with you, engage your caps lock key and TURN UP THE VOLUME!

Defensores de Democracia said...

Anti Obama Racism and Republican Ignorance and Imbecility - Amazing Resuls and Finds of Pollsters - For many people Hawaii is not part of USA

Politics Daily
Only 24 Percent of North Carolina Republicans Think Obama Was Born in U.S.
By Ria Misra

Only 24 Percent of North Carolina Republicans Think Obama Was Born in U.S.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/08/12/only-24-percent-of-north-carolina-republicans-think-barack-obama/

Some excerpts :

A poll released Tuesday from Public Policy Polling shows just 24 percent of Republicans in North Carolina believe that President Obama was born in the United States, despite all evidence that he was indeed born in Hawaii. When factoring in both Democrat and Independent voters, that figure increases, but only to 54 percent.

It's not just Obama that some North Carolinian voters are concerned about, though -- it's his native state. Of those who voted for McCain in North Carolina, only 89 percent agreed that Hawaii is part of the United States.

So, what's the matter with North Carolina? Well, it's not just that state. Another PPP poll from Virginia the week prior showed only 53 percent of all voters believe the president was born in the United States

More about Racial Relations, Racism and Raciality :

Raciality.com

Vicente Duque

Anonymous said...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1859814,north-carolina-store-shooting-110209.article

ILLEGAL MEXICAN SHOOTS FOUR OTHER ILLEGAL MEXICANS DEAD IN MAYBERRY !!!!

Folks the radical leftist Observer can ignore this all it wants in its PC style but the rest of the nation is not, even Chicago ....

The drug wars from Mexico are spilling over all over America ... but lets make sure we give them everything free and their citzenship so they will elect Obama again in 2012 right?

Smartyf said...

I actually read that article and others on this crime. This was not a drug killing. It was over a woman, and white people as you know never kill each other over matters concerning sex.

You need serious help and you should go seek it. Quit blaming others for your unhappiness because only can choose to be happy. Find out what is keeping you from making that decision and leave that evil thought process behind: renew your mind.