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Combatting illegal immigration
Published November 20, 2007
Scottsboro and Jackson County law enforcement officers said they were pleased with a meeting they attended in Huntsville on Monday with U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer concerning illegal immigration.
Scottsboro Police Chief Ralph Dawe said it was a very informative meeting and he believes it was a "very important step in the right direction" to assist law enforcement officers in regard to identifying illegal immigrants in a community.
Dawe said he felt like there were some good ideas included in a roundtable discussion led by Cramer with law enforcement officers.
Also attending from this area were Scottsboro Police Maj. Ron Latimer and Jackson County Chief Deputy Sheriff Doyle York.
Dawe said Scottsboro police have arrested 17 immigrants on local charges since June, contacted ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) and asked if they wanted those arrested and the answer each time was yes. All 17 of them were deported, the chief stated.
York said it was a good meeting and he liked how Cramer asked law enforcement officers questions, listened to their answers and also fielded questions from officers, which was informative.
Cramer joined officers from three counties – Jackson, Madison and Morgan Counties – to discuss efforts to combat illegal immigration.
The congressman said, "Illegal immigration is one of the most serious issues facing our country. I hear from hundreds of people from North Alabama who are frustrated that the government has not acted to find a solution to the immigration problem. It is critical that Congress moves forward to find sensible solutions to strengthen our border and curb the flow of illegal immigrants entering this country."
During the meeting and briefing, Rep. Cramer discussed his recent efforts to help ease the burden illegal places on law enforcemenet. He announced that he is a co-sponsor of legislation to reinforce law enforcement's role regarding illegal immigration. Rep. Cramer said, he is also "working with local authorities to have our local enforcement officials trained to perform anti-immigration duties."
Cramer stated, "Our local law enforcement routinely observe and stop illegal aliens for traffic and other violations. They must have the authority and training needed to apprehend these individuals."
Additionally, Cramer discussed new legislation he co-sponsored to strengthen the nation's borders. Earlier this month, Cramer joined a bipartisan coalition of members to introduce comprehensive enforcement-only legislation to reduce illegal immigration in the United States.
This bill, the Secure America with Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act, seeks to add additional border security agents and improve federal and local law enforcement's capabilities against illegal immigration.
Cramer is an opponent of amnesty for illegal immigrants. The congressman works in Congress to give local law enforcement additional tools and resources to track, detain, and deport illegal aliens. He also works to increase the number of border security agents and to provide funding for the construction of a secure fence and other barriers along the U.S. border.
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