The Chandler Roundup: Ten Years Later
As more local law enforcement agencies contemplate having officers trained to handle immigration related matters, KJZZ looks back at an immigrant sweep that had unintended consequences.
Ten years ago Chandler Police and Border Patrol conducted a joint operation that ended in the arrest and deportation of hundreds of undocumented immigrants. In the process, police stopped people and cars without suspicion that a crime or violation had occured (probable cause). Chandler police officers also asked legal residents for proof of citizenship--something officers did not have the training or authority to do. The city ultimately settled a federal civil rights lawsuit over the matter, but the negative publicity and mistrust created by the raid took years to overcome.
What do you think about the Chandler raid? Was it a good idea that was carried out badly or just a dark episode in the history of the East Valley city? What role should local police play when it comes to dealing with the illegal immigrant community? Post your comment below!
Listen to KJZZ's three part series on "The Chandler Roundup: Ten Years Later" at 6:30 and 8:30 Monday through Wednesday during Morning Edition. Then listen to KJZZ's Here and Now as it takes a closer look at the 'Chandler Roundup' and the lessons learned from eleven to noon Wednesday, July 25.
Posted by
patkinson at
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Comments (7)
As an American citizen, I am sick of the sob stories we keep hearing about wonderful hard working poor suffering illegal aliens in dreadful racist Arizona. The left-wing and "La Raza" apologists simply ignore the fact these aliens are CRIMINALS, they are here illegally! Instead of remaining in their own country and trying to reform their own failed governments, they and their supports view emigrating to the USA is a God-given right. What country on earth can tolerate serial violations of its territory indefinately? These illegal aliens come here encourged by corporate and small-business greed-heads determined to drive down wages for their own enrichment at the expense of American security and economic justice. Stop with the victimization propaganda!
It seems to me that if the federal government isn't willing to devote the resources to the illegal immigration problem, then why shouldn't cities and towns be able to do something about it. I disagree with Peter that these people committed a crime by crossing the border illegally, because I believe it is a civil violation. But if we send the message that they are unwanted, then perhaps they'll move on or go home. Between police and the employer sanctions law, we have some good tools to start tackling this problem.
The "Chandler Roundup" story repeatedly made the same, false assumption: That illegal aliens are "immigrants."
THEY ARE NOT.
They are properly termed as "ILLEGAL ALIENS."
"Trespassers" is another proper, descriptive term.
I am a white, fair haired female that now gets pulled over for the most minor things now (car not being completely in an intersection when light turns red, crossing double line when turning, etc). All while law enforcement says they have a shortage of everything from officers to administrative services. Therefore, I can only ascertain this is to meet their "demographics" developed to defend themselves from complaining minorities. Make the metrics look better by abusing more U.S. citizens. So when I hear complaints about "profiling" I am afraid I am not too sympathetic. Good for Sheriff Joe. Someone has to do something.
I served on a jury in criminal court summer 2006 in which the victims were undocumented workers. They accused their neighbor of threatening them with with a gun. The perpetrator was arrested. After hearing the evidence, we went into the jury room to deliberate. Several jurors expressed verbally, during deliberations, that the victims had no right to call police at any time because they are not citizens, therefore the defendant was not guilty. We ended up as a hung jury, and the Anglo who was charged was freed.
Several jurors also mentioned that they agreed with an alleged police response in the west valley that whenever a person with an hispanic accent calls 911, the operators hang up on them.
How is OK for a LOCAL Police dept to respond to a bank robbery (a federal crime) but not a border crosser (a federal crime). I understand being here illegally is a misdemenor and bank robbery is a felony but if it's purely a jurisdictional problem I don't see the differance. And I think to say in your lead up that police are not trained or have the authority to check your ID is dishonest. I am a white male and have been asked for my ID for what I thought was no reason but the police felt they had a reason. I have been told to leave a different STATE because I was not a resident. Most of all quit blurring the line between Mexican American citizens and Illegals they NOT the same. Please when you make statements please make the difference. A Mexican American citizen has nothing to do with Illegals. Deport the illeagals if they are from Mexico or Canada, Nicaragua or China, Brazil or Russia. If a person is a legal resident - welcome- if they are not then leave!
Laws have consequences when you break them. One of the consequences of illegally entering the US should be with the understanding that when you enter, you are in effect, giving up your legal rights and simply because you are in this country it does not mean you have any legal rights.
This is why I don't go to Mexico, I have no wish to give up my legal rights.
