What's up with the ICE Agreement?

Like a lot of people I was surprised and disappointed in May when I saw on social media that the police chief had signed an agreement with ICE.

I had recently read this article about two instances in this area where people reporting crimes were turned into ICE and now face deportation. I think that wherever you stand on this issue, you will agree that when people are afraid to go to the police, everyone's safety is compromised. Not just reporting crimes, but providing witness statements, reporting suspicious activity, all of that becomes a risk. ICE's tactics are hurting local law enforcement.

Having said that, I don't think this agreement makes Taylor residents any less safe; neither of the two cities referenced in the article had ICE agreements and both stated that it was against policy. I don't think this type of agreement does anything except give ICE some validation for their actions.  If ICE wants to target Taylor, no agreement will matter.

The chief said this was no different than any of the other agreements he has signed with federal agencies; I hope that is correct and he puts clear policies in affect to keep all Taylor residents safe.

My bigger issue with this is the way he handled it. I have no doubt that he had the authority to sign this and I'll accept that it may be similar to previous agreements; but I have a hard time believing that after 34 years of service in the city, he didn't realize that was a politically charged move. He made a politically charge decision and worst a statement, without informing the Mayors office. One of his jobs is to keep the Taylor PD out of the newspaper and he failed miserably in this instance.

Where do I stand on the immigration issue?

1. I think our immigration process is broken and has been for a long time.

2. I think there is a big difference between rounding up dangerous criminals and raiding Home Depot and 7-eleven. The goal has gone from Quality to Quantity.

3. I think the right of due process does apply to people in the country illegally, as has the Supreme Court in multiple rulings. The justice department has admitted they have made some mistakes on deportations; not just deportations, but deportations into third world jails. That is unacceptable.