Opinion

Kane must combat illegal immigration

Posted August 01, 2008 11:00 pm

In a recent exchange of e-mails between Sheriff Perez and Doug Heaton, copied to me, Heaton queried Sheriff Perez on the methods of detection and restraint of illegal aliens when arrested for other offenses. Heaton is the co-chairman of AFLA.

Sheriff Perez basically told Heaton in an arrogant exchange that how Kane County handles illegal aliens is none of his business. I strongly disagree. Sheriff Perez is an elected official and as such he has a duty to respond to citizen's concerns about law enforcement in our county.

We have a very high percentage of illegal aliens living in our county. Illinois is considered by illegal aliens to be a sanctuary state, and Cook County, Chicago and our state government all in violation of federal law confirm that constantly.

We citizens of Kane County believe that our government should be transparent, that we should not need FOIA to get a response to a simple question of how our county law enforcement officers handle illegal aliens and how they interact with ICE.

Kane County has a new jail and an old empty jail. No better use could be made of the "old" jail than to house prisoners being held for ICE or for deportation. Space could be rented to the federal government to house prisoners being held for deportation defraying the cost to the county for maintaining this facility.

In a recent news release, Homeland Security, working in conjunction with local law enforcement departments, arrested 49 alleged gang members who are in this country illegally. Of the list of county sheriff departments working in conjunction with ICE, Kane County was conspicuously absent. Does Kane County even check for illegal aliens in arrest and traffic stops or are we, too, a sanctuary for illegal aliens?

I have addressed these questions to County Board member James Mitchell because he is the chairman of the judicial and public safety committee, and I hope that Sheriff Perez will answer questions to him since he won't respond to the citizens who elected him.

Jonathan Radke

Chairman

Fox Valley Citizens for Legal Immigration

Carpentersville

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