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Sincerely,

Jerry Gonzalez
Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)

Email: jerry@galeo.org
Phone: 404.745.2580
Fax: 404.759.2671
Web: http://www.galeo.org

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Jerry Gonzalez

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By: Jerry Gonzalez

The devolution of responsibility of immigration enforcement to the state and local levels will be mired in controversy. 287 (g) agreements with ICE are active in Cobb, Hall and Whitfield Counties and Gwinnett County is next in line for this type of "agreement". As this continues, we will likely see an increase in racial profiling against Latinos and foreign nationals. Public safety will be undermined, and we will also see serious due process violations.

Based on some of the examples that have been exposed recently by the Washington Post with the deaths of immigrant detainees as well as reports about ICE raids where violations and misconduct have occurred, how can we trust that ICE will adequately train local law enforcement officials to act on their behalf to enforce a broken immigration policy? Are we to turn a blind eye away from some of the serious allegations of increased police racial profiling, police harassment, due process violations and other concerns raised by these "agreements"? If ICE cannot do its job effectively, humanely, in accordance with the law, and in accordance with the due process protections afforded to all persons within the United States, what can we expect from the likes of Wild West Cobb County Sheriff, Neil Warren?

In conclusion, ICE is not doing an effective job of "enforcement" in accordance to due process rights because our immigration policy is in shambles. With 287 (g) agreements and other state policies, local law enforcement officials are getting a blank check to target a vulnerable community while undermining public safety. We maintain that in order for us to restore the rule of law, enhance overall national security/public safety and maintain a humane and robust immigration system, we need comprehensive immigration reform. Devolution of responsibilities and duties while not respecting due process rights is not a solution we should strive for because this nation deserves better. Our U.S. Congress should demand answers and push for greater accountability on the problems that are unfolding.


To read more and learn about the problems in Cobb County, please follow this link - http://www.galeo.org/story.php?story_id=0000004683