Business leaders oppose sheriff's immigration move

A group of Lake County business leaders urged the sheriff's department Thursday to reconsider its application to the federal government to let officers deport illegal immigrants convicted of a crime.

The Waukegan Leadership Council sent a letter dated Dec. 10 to Sheriff Mark Curran and held a news conference Thursday opposing the application for 287 (g) certification -- a section of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act that empowers local law officers in immigration enforcement.

"We're very concerned about racial profiling and alienating people," said Porfirio Garcia, president of the council. "This is not good for business in Lake County and simply not necessary."

Last month, the Lake County sheriff's office applied for six correctional officers to receive cross designation as federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"We have partnered with ICE on many warrants initiatives and have seen wonderful results," Curran said. "Law enforcement is not a one-way street.

"It is beyond my comprehension that anyone would not want law enforcement to do all they possibly can to rid Lake County of the gangbangers, drug dealers, sex offenders and violent thugs that truly jeopardize the safety of law-abiding citizens, legal or illegal."

When the sheriff's department decided to apply, it did so quietly, not wanting to deal with the same protesters who were in Waukegan when officials applied for 287 (g) status.

Lake County is the first Illinois county to seek the ICE designation.

Once certification is approved, law enforcement officials can start deportation proceedings against undocumented second-country nationals convicted of violent crimes, sex offenses and drug felonies.

"We are totally committed to law enforcement's commitment to make sure criminals are brought to justice," said Horacia Lopez, co-vice president of the council. "We are asking Sheriff Curran to withdraw this application because it is really nothing more than a fear tactic."