Opinion: Editorial
Don’t shoot the sheriff
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In recent weeks, concerned citizens have dragged the national debate over illegal immigration into the local spotlight. Residents have voiced concerns over Dane County’s policy of questioning those arrested about their citizenship status and then reporting illegal immigrants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While some citizens have claimed this policy will lead to racial profiling, widespread raids and an overzealous police force, we believe this policy is a reasonable adjudication of law and order.
First and foremost, this policy is one of cooperation between law enforcement agencies, not an example of local officers taking federal enforcement into their own hands. Local law enforcement is not creating roadblocks, infiltrating businesses or making any attempt to actively seek out illegal immigrants. They are simply abiding by a federal request in the course of their normal duties.
While cooperation with ICE is not mandated by law, contact with certain foreign consulates is. According to Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, the state government informed his office in 2005 they were not in compliance with a Vienna Convention requirement to notify certain consulates of the arrest of foreign nationals. This requirement makes questioning an arrestee’s place of birth and citizenship status a legal necessity.
But that hasn’t stopped Dane County Supervisor Ashok Kumar, District 5, from attempting to stir public outrage by characterizing Mr. Mahoney’s decision as both unnecessary and unlawful. In doing so, he and his band of dissidents have pointed to a Dane County resolution prohibiting contact with ICE unless mandated by federal law.
However, this neglects Mr. Mahoney’s position as a constitutional officer, who operates independent of the county sphere. Certainly, Mr. Mahoney’s decision to enforce state and federal law takes priority over a county resolution.
We agree with Mr. Mahoney’s statement that, “Irrespective of personal beliefs, it is good public policy that law enforcement work together.” Mr. Mahoney is no street-level legislator. If Dane County residents disagree with federal policy, they should direct their complaints toward federal government, not local law enforcement officials.
Those who have entered the country illegally and then committed additional crimes certainly have no right to remain here. The burden created by these criminal offenders should not be placed on an already congested criminal justice system and overflowing prison system: Deportation is a reasonable course of action.
Furthermore, it is not clear that every reported incident leads to deportation. Mr. Mahoney has stated that out of the 18,000 individuals arrested in Dane County last year, 286 arrestees were found to be undocumented. Only 61 of those individuals were placed under the jurisdiction of ICE. Even if those 61 people were deported, the result is a far cry from the anti-immigrant bias portrayed by the Immigrant Workers Union.
Those who have railed against Dane County’s policy have obvious qualms with the state of America’s immigration policy. We agree that reform is needed. However, calls for change belong at the federal level. Law enforcement’s duty is to obey the existing laws, and for that reason we support the sheriff’s actions.
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OMG! Another opportunity for the BH editorial board to show its conservative prowess and hate on Ashok, how could they pass this up (a week late)?
This is fascistic, pure and simple.
Fledgling parrots have more original thinking, larger vocabularies, AND greater intelligence that Kyle Szarzynski. Pure and simple….
“AAAWWWKKKK - Facists!”
Fascism is marked by an “otherization” and a related xenophobia and nationalization, and a fetishization of the “rule of law” (no matter what the law is or if it’s morally wrong, it must be followed to the letter).
Wow… the Badger Herald is completely shameless with their absurdly one-sided perspective targeted at Kumar. Thanks Ashok for continuing to fight!
This editorial is completely off the mark. The immigrants are not criminals. At most they have committed civil violations and for anyone who was actually at the Public Hearing Kumar put on, the sheriff is shameless reporting battered women who report their citizens as well as witnesses of crimes to ICE. This policy is a slap in the face to public safety. This Sheriff is coward, plain and simple.
thank god for ashok kumar. you guys suck
I was at last weeks meeting and the Sheriff was not reporting battered women or witnesses to ICE, matter of fact the Sheriff went alot further than most in listening to those who showed-up and followed through in meetings since, with those who had additional questions and showed the level of respect I expect. I’m satisfied with the Sheriff’s policy and will take my concerns about a misguided immigration policy to the ballot box this fall.
Well 8:11 that’s surprising you felt that way because those against the sheriff’s policy outnumbered you by, easily, hundreds. You are a minority my friend, feels like shit doesn’t it? The sheriff should know better!
The BH is full of BS. Kumar’s proposal is sound and has a strong public safety component to it.
The Herald was funded by right-wing douchebags that’s why this and other editorials don’t suprise me. That explains the love-fest they gave to one of thier chief financiers who died last week (William F. Buckely Jr.). Europeans stole this land from the Native Americans. Well done Kumar!
Go ashok! mahoney lied during the campaign when he said he would follow the resolution. Democrats never would have voted for him if they had known what he’s doing now.