ACLU continues support for Illegal Immigrants

Posted on September 29, 2006

Crossposted from Revealing The ACLU: Now the ACLU is pushing further in its support for Illegal Immigrants, this time in Road Island. The attached comes out of the Providence Journal:

The Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican-American Association of Rhode Island have asked the Police Department to clarify what happened on Sept. 16 when seven Mexican nationals, who were allegedly in the country illegally, were taken into custody on disorderly conduct charges. The charges were later dropped and a determination of their legal status is pending.

The complainant told the police he believed there were illegal immigrants at the backyard gathering, said Sgt. Patrick J. McMahon, who took the initial call.

When asked to produce an ID card, two of the men showed suspended Rhode Island drivers’ licenses and three showed Mexican-issued international drivers’ licenses that, McMahon said, were not valid IDs. The woman showed a valid Rhode Island ID card, but she had earlier told officers she was in the country illegally, McMahon said.

The homeowner, John M. Rosa, has questioned the police report and said he is considering legal action. Rosa is chairman of the Democratic Town Committee and past chairman of the town’s Building Commission.

The immigrants have since retained legal counsel through the Mexican consulate.

So, let’s get this right: Police respond to a complaint, one which included a supposition that illegal immigrants where involved. Police then arrested and asked for proof of citizenship – and now the ACLU and the Mexican American Association are investigating and deciding if they should bring a lawsuit?

I think it is clear here – the ACLU and its companion organizations, using their standard intimidation tactics, are trying to make our police forces to fearful of litigation to pursue illegal immigration. Moreover, it seems that illegal immigrants are granted more protections under the ACLU that law abiding citizens are.

Even more concerning is the Mexican consulates involvement in all this – they have provided legal counsel for these illegal immigrants – making their stand on this issue obvious.

Something must be done about this issue, and fast. What makes this the most frustrating to me, is that it is illegal. We have laws, patrols, and soon a fence to help deter people breaking the law. That organization like the ACLU would act to support the violation of laws sounds like accessory to me, and should be punished.

We have the right, as Reagan said, to change our laws if we do not agree with them; but we do not have the right to choose which laws we will and will not obey.

» Filed Under ACLU, Illegal Activities

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One Response to “ACLU continues support for Illegal Immigrants”

Jeff Molby on September 30th, 2006 1:03 pm

1. The ACLU is not trying to their illegal immigration. They are simply questioning the procedures that were followed by the officers.

“Although the officers went to 81 Ross Hill Rd. in response to a complaint of loud noise, the police report notes that when officers responded ‘the music was not loud,’ ” the organizations said in a letter to Police Chief Col. Thomas Sharkey. “We are therefore left guessing as to the basis for arresting these seven individuals with the crime of disorderly conduct.”

ACLU officials and Mexican-American Association members further questioned why officers sought identification from the immigrants “when there was no evidence of any illegal activity on their part.”

“In that regard,” the letter states, “could you confirm that your officers, in responding to a noise complaint or similar minor complaint at a house, routinely ask all persons at the residence to produce ‘valid’ identification before the police leave?”

It sounds as if the officers acted with little, if any, probable cause. Your Reagan quote is interesting in that applies equally to the officers in question.

2. There’s nothing wrong with the Mexican consulate providing legal counsel to these individuals. They, like everyone else, deserve competent counsel. I would fully expect our consulate to provide me with legal counsel if I am ever accused of a crime overseas.