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Simi Valley will let county jail determine immigration status of suspects
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More from ImmigrationLast year, 900 suspects were held in the Ventura County Jail on immigration "holds" while their legal status was reviewed.
In Simi Valley, eight of 1,905 suspects arrested and booked in 2006 by the Simi Valley Police Department were found to be illegal immigrants.
All eight were deported, representing less than 1 percent of city bookings.
This information, released in a memo to the Simi Valley City Council on Wednesday, confirmed a recent staff recommendation to continue handling illegal immigration at the county jail level, at the point of booking, with no additional enforcement at the local level.
"It looks like we don't have much of a problem," said Mayor Paul Miller.
He said the city will continue to gather information at least once a year on the number of arrests made in the city and how many turn out to be illegal immigrants. But for now, city staff said Simi Valley will keep its screening process at the county jail, while supporting the Ventura County Sheriff's Department's goal to add two more deputies at the jail to work with the two Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
In most cases in Ventura County, only the two ICE agents who are assigned to the county jail can hold a suspect for illegal status. Their job is to screen every person arrested, regardless of the arresting agency.
The City Council also asked staff for the additional information on how suspects are booked into the county jail and what process is used to determine whether they should be deported. Mike Lewis, chief of police, asked the Ventura County Sheriff's Department for the additional statistics.
"It's pretty much what I expected based on our own investigations," Lewis said.
Communication is the biggest barrier between the police and the detainees, he said.
Of the 125 officers on the Simi Valley police force, nine are fluent in Spanish, he said.
"We're handicapped from the start as far as an investigation and assessment," Lewis said. "ICE agents are able to delve into questions, have a screening and make a determination."
The Ventura County Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, which includes all police chiefs from all cities, thinks funneling at the county jail is the best way to go, staff said. There also is concern about civil rights infringements, and a heightened enforcement at the local level could be viewed as a "roundup" of illegal immigrants. Fairness and consistency is key, Lewis said. "Citizens could feel that we're on what we call a fishing expedition,' " Lewis said. "And that's not what I feel our officers should be doing."
City Manager Mike Sedell said the City Council plans to have staff send a letter on the city's behalf to the Sheriff's Department and Board of Supervisors in support of adding two deputies at the jail to help the ICE officers review the legal status of inmates.
Posted by desdave on August 23, 2007 at 4:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a poorly written, confusing article. But it appears that the county will not make efforts to determine if an arrestee is illegal. So instead, they would have to pay the expense of re-arresting many of them as repeat offenders over time. Real smart. I'm sure the numbers are available on what percentage arrested are mexican (I say mexican because that's where most of our illegals come from), and I bet it is very very high. Of those, I have to believe that maybe 1/3 or 1/2 are illegals. If you can eliminate them by deportation, then you have rremoved someone who will likely commit future crimes. What CITIZEN would be offended by that prudent action? Shame on you for not doing you duty to the taxpayers of the county.
Posted by Carson on August 23, 2007 at 5:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We never had a problem getting honest people to come in and work when we really needed them. Sacrificing the nation so some snobs can get their lawns mowed is ridiculous.
A neighboring town may need to try my two-step plan. I think there is a provision to confiscate property.
We may have to kiss the keisters of the illegal invaders, it is still a felony to aid and abet them.
If some honest men and women in law enforcement, would go after the lowlifes in the government, business and the general population that have been aiding and abetting them, by the time they had enough of a handle on the job to raise their heads and look around, I don’t think many illegal aliens would still be left.
We don’t need any new laws to do this either. Just some honest men and women that take their oaths of office seriously!
Finding them is the first step!
Federal Immigration and Nationality Act
Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii)
"Any person who . . . encourages or induces an alien to . . . reside . . . knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such . . . residence is . . . in violation of law, shall be punished as provided . . . for each alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs . . . fined under title 18 . . . imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both."
Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A):
A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:
* assists an alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or
* encourages that alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or
* knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.
Posted by cabral on August 23, 2007 at 5:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL!!!! get over it or use to it.....
Posted by Freedom1 on August 23, 2007 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Told you so! Now Simi Valley can become listed as another sanctuary city. If we didn't have a problem with illegal aliens before, we will now.
Posted by cdecker1 on August 23, 2007 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally some sanity prevails. We have fair and reasonable people in our local gov't.
Posted by spokenit on August 23, 2007 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Carson I think Section 8 USC.... Should be on the front page of every news paper in big bold letters everyday for months.
Posted by Face on August 23, 2007 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The federal govt. will not protect our sovereignity, but they come down and violate our state laws by closing down medical marijuana dispenseries at will, violating patient rights. Our local govt.s will pass the buck not wanting to attract attention vs. doing what is best for the citizenry. Does anyone know if there is a process or procedure where California can become a Republic again? That is, secede from the Union? I think the U.S. unlawfully disbanded the nation of California when they invaded us and took over our nation's capital in 1846. Oh, I was just trying to do some research about this and went to a secession website www.newcaliforniarepublic.org but it has been closed down... guess we are more like China than I anticipated.
Posted by cassandra on August 23, 2007 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Really interesting idea. I've daydreamed about a revival of the Bear Flag Republic. Just think--Arnold could be president!
Mendocino could make its own laws about banning genetically modified Monsanto frankenorganisms. We wouldn't have to compromise on environmental safeguards--CO2 emissions, MPG standards and so much more. We could be a shining example of enlightened governance, sustainability not to mention West Coast chic. Medical marijuan is just the beginning!
California is an economic powerhouse, It is politically more enlightened than every other state except Vermont, (which has already threatened to secede), and lacks only an effective military to protect us from the violent and militaristic nation on our eastern border.
Aye, there's the rub.
Posted by Face on August 23, 2007 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, we could make our own laws and sign accords with other govt.s. We do not need to worry about invasion because we would be a nuclear power. All those interested, I suggest signing a petition to remove California from the Union. http://www.petitiononline.com/casec/p...
Imagine the possiblities.
Posted by eduardocenter on August 23, 2007 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Aren't all you anti-immigrant (oh yes, illegal immigrants--right) folks wondering why only 8 of 1905 arrested suspects are illegal? I thought it was at least 50%--or more--like 90% maybe. That's what I hear all the time from people like you on the radio. If not for illegal aliens--we wouldn't even need jails. Everyone would be eating caviar while Canadians mow our lawns.
Posted by cassandra on August 23, 2007 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmm . . .Face, do you think China might be interested in a treaty of mutual defense? To protect its markets. We could call it the Wal-mart Accord.
Posted by smithjc on August 23, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
and just what is wrong with a "roundup" of illegal aliens? they are criminals and should be actively sought out, arrested and deported. "but", you say, "there are 12 million of them! we'll never be able to do it! it's impossible!" just like a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, so does ending the "reconquista" movement. find them, arrest them, deport them one at a time.
the argument that they will do jobs that "americans" won't do is fallacious. i have worked at menial, manual jobs when i had to to support myself. my father dug ditches and unloaded ships (back then most of this was done by hand) when he had to, to support his family. he was able to move beyond that, as was i. eliminate the welfare state with all of the government handouts and you do two things. first, you eliminate the reason that a lot of these people come here in the first place. then, you are also forcing people to set down the beer and the crack pipe, turn off jerry springer, and get off of their buttocks. WORK OR DIE! trust me, real americans, the americans that built the greatest nation on earth, will get off their butts and work. those that don't want to, too bad.
eduardocenter: that figure is for simi valley only. in oxnard, saticoy and other areas of the county, the percentage of folks that are arrested and are found to be illegals is much higher. since simi valley has always been predominately white, the illegals have settled (tried to hide) in communities with more latinos.
cassandra: your vision of the "republic of california" (which i thought it already seems to be the democratic socialist people's republic of kalifornia) makes me shudder and cringe. i just hope i can make it across the border to nevada. i guess that would make me an illegal over there.
Posted by FedUp on August 23, 2007 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by cabral on August 23, 2007 at 5:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL!!!! get over it or use to it.....
I will not get used to having my taxes go to an illegal who has a cold, and goes to the ER to get assistance for it. I will not pay taxes so my kids can get a crappy education, because half of the other kids in their classroom, either dont speak english, or they are just screwed up anchor babies whose parents dont give a rats a$$ about the kids education. the schools are only there so the mexican gangs can intimidate, and recruit new members.
and 1% of the people arrested in Simi Valley (the whitest town in our county practically) were illegals. let's see the numbers for Oxnard or Ventura. I would bet they are closer to the 20% range. would that get your attention?
and the number of inmates in our california jails who are illegals is at about 35% right now. you think that is why the jails are overcrowded?? duh. take a look around folks.
there is a snowball affect on everything. the freeways are overcrowded, so we need to pay millions of dollars to widen them. the jails are overcrowded, so we need to pay millions of dollars to build more. the hospitals are overrun with non insured illegals getting free treatment, so we have to close them down. the schools are overcrowded with kids who cant speak english, so the tests scores go down, so the funding gets lowered.
if you are ok with this happening, you pay for them. I dont see why I have to.
Posted by surfmedic91 on August 23, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree FedUp. Why should DMV tests and signs around town be in Spanish and accomodate those who can't speak and/or read english? It would only be fair to include any of the languages of all the other continents everywhere. Why single out spanish? I would also be interested in seeing what the nationality of the illegals in the jails is and how many are actually from Mexico. What about all the Armenian and Turkish liquour store owners in Ventura and SB counties? The taxes we pay as citizens pay for the widening of roads and expanding of jails for a large number of people that don't pay the taxes and are not citizens.
George Lopez has a joke that an illegal gets caught and is going to be deported. He asks his Aunt to watch his food because he'll be back shortly once he's deported and crosses back over the border. All illegal acts need to be held accountable.
Posted by surfmedic91 on August 23, 2007 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
carma, they come in from SFV because people in Simi leave their cars and garages unlocked. Simi is pretty much SFV anyway.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on August 23, 2007 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FedUp, you express the same opinions as most of the people with whom I come into contact each day, many of whom are of Mexican heritage. Note that the same Mexican government that denies even basic rights to to immigrants in their country is openly criticizing our government for deporting a lady who openly defied our immigration laws. One of the first things out of her mouth after deportation was "...now I'm in MY country."
Posted by gayala70 on August 23, 2007 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If they are illegal, how do they get gov't aid such as welfare? I know there are far too many legals here that would be happy to cut our lawns and grow our crops. They are the ones competing with the illegals.
Posted by kelly13 on August 23, 2007 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If we are to believe that only 1% of those in jail were illegal...and that's a big "if"..that is 1% more than it should be.
The family of those three kids killed in New Jersey wouldn't be mourning the loss of their loved one if that one illegal would not have been allowed to be here.
From what I have read about 1 our of 4 sneaking across the border has a criminal record. And we all know how many are coming across daily. Do we just sit and wait for them to be caught then let them go because we are a sancuary city? So many are caught and released only to commit more crimes.
More innocent Americans are killed by illegals than we are loosing in Iraq. It is a major problem and just wrong on so many levels to try to justify allowing illegals to be here. Let alone reward them for breaking our laws.
I understand the budget situation but then Thousand Oaks will turn around and put $100,000.00 into a day labor site for illegals.
I am glad Simi is at least looking at the problem and I hope they will do something when the numbers change. At least they are addressing the problem and not pretending their isn't one.
Posted by ednemechek on August 23, 2007 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GET ACTIVE -GO TO: www.JBS.org (search: petition) to stop illegal immigration! Also call 1-800-JBS-USA-1 and ask for the free JBS INFO. packet.
Posted by cassandra on August 23, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Smithjc, I hope you make it over as well. Sooner the better.
Everything that has to be said about illegal immigration has already been said, seems to me, vehemently and repetitiously on this board.
I started out thinking securing the border was only reasonable and necessary. You can't tell an honest lawbreaking worker from a terrorist, after all, and besides we have too many people in California anyway, hurts the environment and cheapens the value of labor for natives and legals.
But reading the viscious hatred and bigotry encountered here, people going bananas at literature in another language they happen to encounter, the factual misrepresentation blaming illegals for every wrong under the sun from traffic congestion to inadequate medical care, I am much less worried about border security. I have seen into your hearts and it's ugly and I don't want to be one of you, despite wanting control of our border. It's a hard choice, really.
I often wonder if illegal immigration were actually stopped, who the new scapegoats would be
Posted by imbetnonit on August 23, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Verizon had 6 non-english speaking workers STANDING around a hole in front of my house for several hours the other day. It seems like 1 english speaking person could have handled it for LESS money (wages). I didn't see any of them moving very fast or doing very much work. You get what you pay for.
Posted by FedUp on August 23, 2007 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I often wonder if illegal immigration were actually stopped, who the new scapegoats would be"
the american people. if we put an end to this travesty that is our border system, it will be up to the american people to right the ship. if "our" governement is on board, it should not be a problem. americans used to be tough, roll your sleeves up type of people. I think that mentality would come back.
Posted by holdenon_2000 on August 23, 2007 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If everyone wants to bring up laws, and contracts, what about the contract we signed with Mexico when we purchased California. We signed a contract stating that we would allow Mexican people to continue to reside and travel freely from Mexico to California, New Mexico, and Arizona. Most of you don't even read history books, or know that we agreed to a contract allowing Mexicans to live and travel here. We agreed to this, so Mexico would not sell California to other Interests. Would you fell better if Mexico sold this land to Canada?
Posted by caskier on August 23, 2007 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think we all agree that once arrested, convicted, and time served they should be deported. However, I would like to see some local expertise to determine immigration status PRIOR to arrest. By the time a gang banger is arrested its too late - the crime has been committted. Lets sweep up the bottom of the barrel and deport them BEFORE the crime is committed. I am not talking about the poeple who come here to make a better life - but the scumbags who deal drugs and are likely to commit other crimes. Simi PD knows who they are - they associate with the gangs. Round them up and ship them out I say! I am disappointed with our city council and PD for not taking a stand on this.
Posted by only46s on August 23, 2007 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FedUp, Hamskid. Come on you guys. There is a lot of good that comes from the illegal immigrants too. How about we rid the country of the 65% US Citizens in out jails instead? And those Jersey kids? That doesn't even make sense? That one illegal WAS ACTUALLY NOT ALLOWED TO BE THERE. Your statement should have read "if that illegal was not there". He was a horrible man but according to you there are more horrible US CITIZENS? From the way you guys talk it seems that our jails have more US CITIZENS there for there are more "bad" US CITIZENS out there... I mean what an argument...looks like we need to get the hell out of here... As a US Citizen born in good ol' Indianapolis, Indiana I'd rather you two stop making us look so bad... Your arguments are elementry and ridiculous and I AM ON YOUR SIDE !! ... Please stop.
Posted by FedUp on August 23, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nothing good comes from being an illegal immigrant. they are breaking the law. no matter where they are coming from. Mexico, Japan, Canada, Peru, etc. they are breaking the law.
it is a pretty well known fact that illegal immigrants are targets for crime. why? because they are afraid to report the crime, for fear of being deported. this leads to more and more crime.
I do understand that not all illegals are here to steal, rape, murder, etc. however, there are laws in place for those who would like to become citizens. why should those who have a geographic advantage be able to circumvent the laws that were put in to place, to make the USA what it is/was?
as for the argument about the other 65% of prisoners, heck, prison is there for a reason. we keep too many murderers, rapists alive in my opinion.
I am not a fan of the middle east, but I do love their justice system.
Posted by RC on August 23, 2007 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what about all the nail places? Wonder how many of the workers there are here legally!?
Posted by MRCLEAN on August 23, 2007 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a shock! !
Posted by eduardocenter on August 23, 2007 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Caskier: you are on the right path--although you and I probably don't agree totally on immigration--the problem is that the illegal aliens who are commiting crimes are not the ones that most anti-illegal posters here concentrate on. They think they do--but they don't. It is damn difficult to arrest an illegal alien in a gang--it is, as GW says about everything--hard work. Real hard. So, what happens is that a crime is comitted, let's say by an illegal alien gang banger--and what some people here want to see is the gardner accross the street being deported. You see that's the logic of these posts usually--deport the people looking for a job--but forget the rapist because the illegal alien already broke the law. Crossing the border and mowing a lawn is the same as rape. Right. That makes sense. Here's another winner. Let's get rid of bilingual education so that the kids that just came to this country last month can sit next to our kids that were born here and are fluent in English. Then we can complain about the Mexican kid sitting next to our kid. That's another winner. The same people who want to get rid of bilingual education, ironically, are the ones that are surprised to see kids that don't read and write well in English in their son's classroom.
Posted by gayala70 on August 23, 2007 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
holdenon, your right about the contract, however the contract has long expired and new laws were since created.
Posted by FedUp on August 24, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eduardocenter -
not sure where you came up with your theory, but you could not be more wrong.
the kid in class who does not speak english, should not in anyway, jeopardize the education that my kid can receive. but that is what is happening. our country is more worried about taking care of some kid whose parents are here illegally, and could care less if their kid graduates and goes on to college.
I am mad that the guy mowing my neighbors lawn is doing it for 75% less than my american citizen friend who had a very successful landscaping job for many, many years, until it became easy to hire an illegal.
if our officers had the ability to ask for proof of citizenship when they are busting a gang banger for a fight, or drug offense, it would be much easier to get rid of all of them eventually.
I dont think you really understand how serious the issue is. either that, or you dont care, and are enabling the illegals by hiring them yourself.
Posted by FedUp on August 25, 2007 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mantiger8O8 - not sure where you are a cop, but if you think the gangs who regularly recruit illegal immigrants are not a problem, then I would hope you are ready for retirement.
I back our law enforcement 110%, but if all of the cops have your attitude, then we are in a world of hurt.
with that said, I do believe that ICE should be involved with any case where the immigration status is in question. I do agree that you cops are too busy to deal with immigration status with every arrest. but to say we are racists because we feel it is a huge problem, is just nonsense.
Posted by eduardocenter on August 28, 2007 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FedUp: you wrote this, "not sure where you came up with your theory, but you could not be more wrong.
the kid in class who does not speak english, should not in anyway, jeopardize the education that my kid can receive. but that is what is happening. our country is more worried about taking care of some kid whose parents are here illegally, and could care less if their kid graduates and goes on to college"--
The reality is that there is no "jeopardizing"--that kid will just sit there and not learn. But you'll still get angry, right? You'll be upset that that seat is taken up by a child that is not ready for that class. That's what bilingual education is for. I'm sure you are all against bilinugual education--but you could prove me wrong by saying that you actually support the idea so that kids need to progress through varying levels of English before being placed in a totally, 100% percent English setting. That's my point.
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