Resolution - 287(g)

WHEREAS,  the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Pew Hispanic Center has found, in a 2007 nationwide survey of Latinos, that nearly two thirds say the failure of Congress to enact an immigration reform bill has made life more difficult for all Latinos; and
 
WHEREAS, the same report cite that smaller numbers (ranging from about one in eight to one in four) say the heightened attention to immigration issues has had a specific negative effect on them personally. These effects include more difficulty finding work or housing; less likelihood of using government services or traveling abroad; and more likelihood of being asked to produce documents to prove their immigration status; and
 
WHEREAS, through the work of LULAC, NAACP, ACLU and other groups, the Texas Legislature passed a bill banning racial profiling in Texas; and
 
WHEREAS, the new law defines racial profiling as any "law enforcement-initiated action based on an individual's race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than on the individual's behavior or on information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity." (Source: Racial Profiling in Texas); and
 
WHEREAS, the law can be found in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 2, Article 2.131 2.138 and Chapter 3, Article 3.05 and in the Occupations Code, 1701.253; and
 
WHEREAS, Houston Mayor Bill White, on March 16,2009, requested to enter into a 287 (g) Jail Mutual Operating Agreement (MOA). "I will be urging other jail custodians in our region, outside of Harris County, to enter into 287 (g) agreements as well," stated Mayor White. This is a departure from the mayor's past position, that local police should have limited involvement in immigration enforcement;  and
 
WHEREAS, under the 287 (g) program, state and local law enforcement agencies are allowed to perform like immigration agents, after being trained, and
 
WHEREAS, LULAC National President Rosa Rosales, stated in August 24,2007, news release, "LULAC has always come out firmly against involving city police in immigration matters. This is the role of the federal government. The local police departments do not have the resources or training to enforce immigration law," said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales; and
 
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that LULAC District VIII and Texas LULAC denounce Mayor Bill White's 287(g) proposal and request for the mayor to withdraw his 287(g) proposal and stop it from being implemented.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the LULAC District VIII Director schedule a news conference to inform the general public the consequences this policy would impose on Hispanics and other minority groups.

 

Approved this 18th day of July 2009.

Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President