With all the issues Plainfield has faced with the explosive growth of its Hispanic population, including murders and muggings of immigrants, Tom Moran's column in today's Ledger speaks some sense to the debate about whether local police should be enforcing federal immigration laws.
The hook, of course, is the cheap shot by Congressman Tom Tancredo on the steps of Newark City Hall on Monday. (Tancredo makes targeting illegal immigration THE platform for his GOP presidential campaign.)
Moran points out that Tancredo misses the point of Newark's 'sanctuary' resolution: The police are specifically exempted from the sanctuary provisions when investigating a crime. And he points out why a community might WANT a sanctuary provision like Newark's (there ARE arguments in its favor).
He also points out problems with Morristown Mayor Don Cresitello's approach -- mainly that it undercuts the work that police must do to FIGHT CRIME and at the same time burdens them with more work but no more resources.
But the real weak spot in why an illegal immigrant, facing criminal charges, was let go on bail go to the County Prosecutor's offices and the feds' ICE program.
In true Moran style, he not only points out the problem, but suggests a solution.
A worthwhile one, in my opinion.
The hook, of course, is the cheap shot by Congressman Tom Tancredo on the steps of Newark City Hall on Monday. (Tancredo makes targeting illegal immigration THE platform for his GOP presidential campaign.)
Moran points out that Tancredo misses the point of Newark's 'sanctuary' resolution: The police are specifically exempted from the sanctuary provisions when investigating a crime. And he points out why a community might WANT a sanctuary provision like Newark's (there ARE arguments in its favor).
He also points out problems with Morristown Mayor Don Cresitello's approach -- mainly that it undercuts the work that police must do to FIGHT CRIME and at the same time burdens them with more work but no more resources.
But the real weak spot in why an illegal immigrant, facing criminal charges, was let go on bail go to the County Prosecutor's offices and the feds' ICE program.
In true Moran style, he not only points out the problem, but suggests a solution.
A worthwhile one, in my opinion.
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger: "Pleas and finger-pointing in Newark"
-- Dan Damon
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1 comments:
Of course maybe police should never investigate any federal crime. After all they would be doing jobs the federal government won't do. And you don't want to upset the criminals. They might stop cooperating with local officials.
Let's make it a crime to enforce any federal crime at the local level.
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