Philadelphia to bar immigration agents from arrest data

Philadelphia to bar immigration agents from arrest data
By Michael Matza

Inquirer Staff Writer

Philadelphia is expected to end the arrangement that permits federal immigration agents to scrutinize the city's computerized list of arrests, including country of origin and other data, Everett Gillison, the deputy mayor for public safety, said Sunday.

Immigrant advocates say the year-old agreement between the city and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement service, known as ICE, has resulted in deportation proceedings against immigrants arrested on even minor charges. Under the agreement, ICE agents can routinely access the city's Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System (PARS). That agreement is up for renewal on Thursday.

"It is the mayor's view that the PARS agreement should not be extended," Gillison said, speaking at a South Philadelphia church meeting attended by more than 300 immigrants and their supporters.

He said there would be a formal announcement of the city's position in the coming week, probably on Friday.

Mayor Nutter has expressed concern about the human rights of all immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

In a directive he issued a year ago, he barred municipal employees on official business from inquiring about the immigration status of any person, including, but not limited to, victims, witnesses, arrestees, and detainees.

Gillison said Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey and District Attorney Seth Williams "agree with the mayor" that the ICE-PARS arrangement should be terminated
His announcement, which followed an hour of public testimony from immigrants about their fears and mistrust of the police, drew chants of Si, se puede! - Yes, we can! - from a mostly Latino audience that also included members of the city's Asian communities and a contingent of suburban supporters from the Central Baptist Church of Wayne.

Organized by a coalition of proimmigrant groups, including Juntos and the New Sanctuary Movement, the standing-room-only meeting took place in the basement of Annunciation Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on South 10th Street. It was conducted mostly in Spanish, with electronic headsets available to permit simultaneous translation into English.

In addition to Gillison, officials in attendance included City Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez; Police Capt. Michael Weaver, commander of the immigrant-rich Third District in South Philadelphia; and Leslie Davila, assistant director of Victims' Services, who represented the District Attorney's Office but who left before the end of the meeting without addressing the group.

Because Williams did not attend, someone had filled the seat reserved for him with a large cardboard cutout of the district attorney's face.

"This is about human rights. It's about civil rights," Sánchez said. "And I am very, very encouraged by [the administration's] movement around PARS."

Some of the speakers who provided testimony about their encounters with police used their real names. Others used pseudonyms. They spoke from a lectern decorated with a poster that said, "Public Safety Now."

One man, who gave his name as Ignacio Aguirre, described the arrest of his son. He said the boy had been at the beach, where he used a knife to cut a watermelon. He put the knife into a backpack. Several days later, without thinking about it, he took the backpack to school and tripped a metal detector. It was an innocent mistake, the man said, but it resulted in a visit from ICE and house arrest with an ankle bracelet for his child.

He did not elaborate on the status of the case but said, "Now I'm afraid to call the police for anything."

[email protected]. and MichaelSavage.com
Now I'll watch a few of you berate me for using Savage as a source.

I find this interesting, that they would really keep records from ICE because they don't approve of the treatment of illegals in their city. they feel their crimes are to petty to prosecute, They are illegal right, they did commit a crime right.
That is the impression I get, am I wrong?
What do you think? I think every one here knows how I feel about ILLEGALS! It's pack'em up and send'em back to where ever, kids and all.

Edit to Add: MODS: please move if in wrong area or delete if not appropriate.

[edit on 28-6-2010 by guohua]

[edit on 28-6-2010 by guohua]

So, tell me ATS members from Philadelphia or any other Sanctuary City, how do you feel about this I mean is it OK for some one to break our laws and continue to break our laws?

Do you think we are mistreating illegals? Should we only inform ICE on illegals we are not Happy With? How do you define, Illegals we are not happy with? What is your level of comfortably with an illegal and their family?

When Do You Say, OK, I'm Upset Now, You Can Call ICE!


[edit on 28-6-2010 by guohua]

Perhaps J walking is not sufficient reason for deportation?
Give me a break...the bigotry meter is clanging too loudly .......
Do you think Canada should send YOU back all those deserters and draft dodgers?

Originally posted by stirling
Perhaps J walking is not sufficient reason for deportation?

Nobody got deported for jaywalking.

They were deported for being in the country ILLEGALLY.


It was the jaywalking that allowed the authorities to find them.

reply to post by guohua


Fantastic. All of the other states should go and hand out bus tickets to Philly to the illegals.

Fast forward - Philadelphia will essentially go bankrupt shortly and be looking for the Keystone State or Uncle Sam to bail them out.

They need the illegals in Philly anyway. The city has been bleeding residents for the past 25 years.

Originally posted by stirling
Perhaps J walking is not sufficient reason for deportation?
Give me a break...the bigotry meter is clanging too loudly .......
Do you think Canada should send YOU back all those deserters and draft dodgers?

Yes, Please return all those Deserters and Draft Dodgers.
I personally believe Canada is weak for keeping them

FortAnthem made a commit that is perfectly true: Quote"Nobody got deported for jaywalking.
They were deported for being in the country ILLEGALLY.
It was the jaywalking that allowed the authorities to find them. [End Quote.

That is the idea isn't it. To use our resources available to us to keep our families a little safer.
Or would you rather they just break our laws and drive cars in our families with out caring enough to have insurance.
I ask you, and I know you can't tell me, But here goes, stirling, where is the Bigotry in trying to keep our families safe and food on our tables and roof over our heads and living by the letter of the law. Yes, this may surprise you but many people in America are Law Abiding Citizens and Damn Proud To Be.

I bet, That just shocked you didn't it?

[edit on 28-6-2010 by guohua]

Originally posted by dolphinfan
reply to post by guohua

 

Fantastic. All of the other states should go and hand out bus tickets to Philly to the illegals.

Fast forward - Philadelphia will essentially go bankrupt shortly and be looking for the Keystone State or Uncle Sam to bail them out.

They need the illegals in Philly anyway. The city has been bleeding residents for the past 25 years.

dolphinfan, You are Right, that would give California, Austin, TX. and numerous other Sanctuary Cities and States a Reprieve. OK, I'll get some maps made up with clear direction in Spanish to Philadelphia