Anyone busted in Montgomery County for a violent crime will have his or her immigration status put through the wringer, MoCo exec Ike Leggett announced Tuesday.
In a Feb 10 memo to police chief Thomas Manger, Leggett said anyone charged with illegal gun possession, murder, rape, or other violent crimes will have their names sent to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The feds then will determine whether a suspect is in the country illegally.
“This new policy can assist the county in helping to keep violent offenders off the streets,” Leggett wrote. “We can accomplish this without our officers becoming federal immigration police or crossing the line into ‘profiling’ individuals based on their race or ethnicity.”
Leggett insisted the move wouldn’t get the PD involved in straight-up immigration investigations. That was the feds’ problem, he indicated.
The new deal responds to recent high-profile crimes involving suspects who were undocumented immigrants. That includes the November shooting death of 14-year-old Tai Lam on a Ride-On bus in Long Branch. At least two of the three suspects in that case were in the country illegally, MoCo police said.
But the real rub was that this wasn’t the suspected shooter’s first run-in with the law. Hector Mauricio Hernandez, an illegal immigrant and Takoma Park resident, was busted in October for carrying a switchblade knife, then released on his own recognizance. His immigration status was not reviewed, as was county policy at the time.
So what kind of crime will get a gangsta’s papers checked? Click here for a full list of violent crimes, and here for gun-possession violations.
Photo by J. Deseo/SSP.
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About. Frigging. Time!
Please ship the MS-13 garbage on a one-way ticket back to El Salvador.
“But the real rub was that this wasn’t the suspected shooter’s first run-in with the law. Hector Mauricio Hernandez, an illegal immigrant and Takoma Park resident, was busted in October for carrying a switchblade knife, then released on his own recognizance. His immigration status was not reviewed, as was county policy at the time.”
Under the new policy, the suspect still wouldn’t have his immigration status reviewed, right?
I don’t get it. If you’re charged with murder or rape, you’re not going to be released on your own recognizance anyways. Seems like an entirely pointless memo as far as keeping “garbage” off the street.
I’m no legal eagle (and if there are lawyers willing to dole out free advice online, holler), but I think Jag is correct. Hernandez’s immigration status would not have been checked under the new policy.
Let’s just not turn MoCo into Prince William County. I hope this policy doesn’t extend further than violent crime suspects.
I don’t know what Prince William County is doing but it is the responsibility of our elected officials to do what is within their power to ensure the safety of the people. Why not extend the policy further? If someone is carrying a switchblade, shouldn’t they also be subject to immigration review?
Carmen, I see that you want Montgomery County to be the dumping ground magnet of run away illegal immigrants that were pushed out of Northern Virginia.
Wow you really are looking out for the tax paying people of Montgomery County.
Editor’s note: This comment was edited for content. — JD (Feb 11, 2009)
That can’t be Eric from ThayerAve…that has to be crazy capitalization guy who always bothers everyone….
Agree with Carmen – obviously Prince William is an embarrassment to all things American (only slightly joking), but I don’t expect that MoCo will take this any further. I assume Ike’s goal isn’t to alienate any aliens.
Editor’s note: You’re correct, Jag. That isn’t Eric of Thayer Ave. — JD (Feb 11, 2009)
Play nice. No personal swipes.
Eric, you’re welcome to bitch about the problem, but if all you’re going to do is bitch about other readers, then take your shit kicking elsewhere.
The same goes for any other troll. Those who kick shit in their comments will be deleted.
We don’t need to go all Prince William County to exercise basic common sense with this. It seems well within the bounds for MoCo to check on the legal status of anyone brought in on charges.
It’s funny that the moderator relishes setting out the rules for everyone, but seems unable to follow them herself. You just told Eric not to make any personal swipes and go on to call him a troll.
Generally, I really like this blog, but this whole gestapo approach might be putting a little damper on the free speech thing. Just a thought. Peace.
Editor’s note: The person whom I called a troll is just that. He/she has been to every local blog to unleash venom on other readers, without focusing on the main story’s content (or anything else). Trolls distract, if not destroy, what can be a constructive (or at least entertaining) discussion.
As I said, Thayer-D, no shit kicking allowed. — JD (Feb 13, 2009)
How about this as a guideline: “What you would say to someone in line at the grocery store.” Not sure if I am quoting exactly, but that is what we are to think about when posting something on our neighborhood listserv.
I think it’s pretty good. How about considering it for the Penguin, Jennifer, or is that insufficiently edgy for a blog?
I’m totally in favor of the new policy and I am a brown Latino.
I think the law should apply to anyone that carries a weapon period