Black Box Report

Council takes step to link up with immigration enforcement

DANBURY, Conn. - Danbury's Common Council has taken another step that would have some police officers receive training from a federal agency to crack down on illegal aliens.

The council has voted as a committee of the whole to recommend the police chief be given the authorization to enter into an agreement that would have some officers receive training from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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Backers say the training is needed because of the federal government's lack of action on immigration reform.

Opponents worry the training will result in racial profiling and will lead to a fear of police among immigrants, both legal and illegal.

If anyone hasn't translated what's really going on here, let me strip away the B.S. Some in Danbury see a population in their city speaking Spanish, living in large groups and changing the complexion literally and figuratively of their backyard - and assume these new residents are illegal aliens. For all I know, they may be right, but what role the police should play in deciding who stays and who goes, that's where any agreement disappears.

Now before any Lou Dobbs wannabees start screaming, “They're illegal! Round em' up and deport em' all!” be careful what you wish for. First off, I know to some the Constitution has become an optional document, but humor me and remember the fourth amendment - it protects us against unreasonable searches and seizures. In Long Island a few months ago, the aforementioned ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raided hundreds of homes in the dead of night, guns drawn, forcing residents to prove their status. And even after some did, in their own homes, they still reportedly were disbelieved. An interesting thing happened after the raids - even though only a handful of alleged gang members were detained, a multiple of that were held even though they had no criminal record but were illegal immigrants.

Cracking down on illegal immigration is one thing but when our police also have to add border patrol agent to their resume we are looking for trouble. It's not good policing and it's not who we are.