GUEST BLOG: Voting for a Police Partnership with ICE is Foolish

As I sit here formulating my thoughts on a proposed partnership between Danbury and ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), I have learned that the proposal [which would authorize Danbury police to act as immigration agents] is all but a done deal.

In a committee meeting last night (Jan. 14, 2008), the Common Council of Danbury voted 19-2 in favor of the partnership.

The issue will come back to the Common Council for an official endorsement next month. Given that the same 21 people will vote on the official partnership, I think we can be certain of the outcome.

The two members of the Common Council who voted against the partnership did so because they wanted to see the actual agreement between ICE and the police department before they vote on it.

Imagine that, quite the novel idea to actually read something ahead of voting for it. I can't believe an elected official would vote for - or against - entering into an agreement without knowing the specifics of the deal.

Mayor Mark Boughton and Police Chief Al Baker have certainly proved that if things don't work out in their current careers they will make excellent used car salesman.

Chief Baker has been on record as saying the ICE partnership will focus on drug dealing and document fraud, among other crimes. According to Chief Baker, the Danbury Police Department won't be interested in the day laborers who gather looking for work at Danbury's Kennedy Park.

Yeah, right, as the old saying goes - fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Why would we believe Chief Baker? He already led a sting operation with ICE by posing as contractors looking for workers, then leading them to be arrested by ICE.

Currently Chief Baker and members of his department are being sued [for civil rights violations claiming racial profiling, targeting Latinos and flawed arrests] over what has become know as the "Danbury 11" case.

We all would like criminals off our streets; the Danbury Police rank and file already does a fantastic job of protecting and serving our community.

The crime rate is among the lowest in the nation and has improved this past year. We live in a wonderful safe community with little unemployment, and earning power is way above the national average.

Why would we want this spoiled by bringing ICE into our midst? ICE has a proven track record of tearing apart families over nothing more than being an undocumented immigrant.

Mayor Boughton may think he is serving his constituents, but I wonder how those same constituents will react when their taxes continue to rise to cover the numerous lawsuits that are sure to come from this partnership.

This partnership is a mistake that will push immigrants further into the shadows and continue to draw more negative national attention to our beautiful city.

Eliette Matos is publisher of El Canillita (elCanillita.com), a weekly Spanish-language newspaper based in Danbury, CT, and distributed throughout Connecticut.

source: EthnicNewz.org

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