Crossing over - Page 4

Arizona law changing the political dynamics on immigration, in SF and across the country

05.04.10 - 1:53 pm | Rebecca Bowe and Sarah Phelan |

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Thousands poured into the streets on May 1 to march for federal immigration reform

PHOTO BY REBECCA BOWE

The incident also served as a vivid reminder to those who support immigration reform and the city's sanctuary city law that Newsom hasn't been on their side for a long time.

OPENING OLD WOUNDS

Immigrant rights advocates are expressing renewed concern about Newsom's failure to implement a Campos-authored and board-approved amendment to his policy on turning juvenile immigrants over to federal authorities before they've had their day in court.

Since Newsom ordered his new policy, more than 160 youth have been referred to federal immigration authorities for possible deportation. As a result, kids who subsequently see all felony charges against them dismissed or reduced, find themselves ripped from their families and in danger of being deported.

Advocates also noted that they have not seen any evidence that language they believe is an open invitation to racial profiling has been removed from the mayor's policy, which Newsom ordered without public review in July 2008, the day after he announced his failed bid to become the next governor of California.

Juvenile Probation Department Chief William Siffermann assured the Guardian in March that such language was being removed following a contentious March 4 hearing. Campos questioned the JPD chief about the origin of language in Newsom's policy. The language states that in determining whether there is reasonable suspicion that youth is undocumented, one of the criteria listed is the "presence of undocumented persons."

Siffermann replied that the policy was based on review and approval of the City Attorney's Office.

Campos asked if Siffermann could see "how something as open-ended as this could lead to racial profiling?"

"It could," Siffermann replied. "It requires vigilant oversight. If that criterion was taken alone, we'd have a problem with that."

That concern echoes those of critics of the Arizona law, which purports to ban racial profiling while requiring police officers who suspect people of being an undocumented immigrants to ask for their citizenship papers. Those parallels are uniting San Francisco officials on the otherwise divisive issue.

Tensions arose between Campos and Herrera's office following Newsom's refusal to implement Campos' due process amendment for immigrant youth, with Campos and immigrant advocates saying Herrera should do more to force its implementation. Now Campos said a renewed push for action could be the silver lining in Arizona's otherwise bad legal situation.

"I think there has been a respectful disagreement between my office and Herrera's about just how far they could go," Campos said. "We believe the city attorney can and should advise Newsom that the Mayor's Office doesn't have the authority to do what he is doing [requiring probation officers to notify ICE when juveniles suspected of being undocumented are arrested, in violation of Campos's legislation]. But I appreciate what the city attorney is doing around Arizona."

Campos and Herrera note that a boycott proved to be an effective model in forcing Arizona to rethink its refusal to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 20 years ago.

Asked if Arizona's SB 1070 will change the national immigration debate and the city's local policy toward immigrant juveniles, Herrera said, "I don't think anything with respect to the state of our immigration laws could get any worse. Otherwise, we'll probably end up with draconian policies being put forward by other states."

Herrera also believes the national debate could allow quicker implementation of San Francisco's sanctuary city reform, telling us, "Obviously the debate will provide the vehicle to have the discussion to clarify the distinctions between state and federal law."

Comments

Re: Arizona's Immigration Law

Is Arizona's immigration law racial profiling on its face or as it is likely to be applied? The law clearly targets undocumented Latinos crossing from Mexico into Arizona in search of employment. And it targets drug-related violence by Mexican drug cartels. Arizona has about 1.7 million persons of Hispanic or Latino origin most of whom are legal residents, but may be unwitting targets of the new law. There are heated arguments on both sides. It is now for the courts to decide. In my opinion, however, the law will never see the light of day. The law will probably be struck down because Arizona cannot enact its own scheme to regulate immigration. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the exclusive power "to establish an uniform rule of naturalization [and immigration]."

Posted by Guest on May. 05, 2010 @ 11:33 am

Regardless of your stance on

Regardless of your stance on illegal immigration there is no question that comprehensive reform needs to be taken up on all levels NOW. It's a tax on our many resources, criminals are too often given "sanctuary" by cities like SF ignoring Federal law, and families are being unfairly torn apart in those rare moments when the law decides to enforce.

Posted by Keith on May. 17, 2010 @ 8:02 am

As a San Franciscan, I am in

As a San Franciscan, I am in support of completely sealing up our border, but also in conjunction with offering temporary work visas to those that want to work in the US. As a result, workers can travel back and forth across the border, and those trying to sneak in will most likely be drug smugglers. Out social services are taking a hit by millions of illegal aliens, whatever race they may be, loitering, automobile accidents, tax evasion, crime, gangs, incarceration. We can let them stay and work, but we must acknowledge them as human beings with a permit or work visa. This will create a revenue that can be used to help fight drug smuggling and mafia activity. The Arizona law is a step in the right direction.

Posted by Guest on Jun. 15, 2010 @ 10:06 am