Community Opposition to Operation Linebacker

El paso County Residents present petion not to renew funding for operation linebacker

El Paso, TX. On Monday, February 12, 2007, the Sheriff’s Office is presenting a resolution before the County Commissioners Court to renew the application for funding to continue with the implementation of Operation Linebacker in our jurisdiction.

The Border Network for Human Rights and many other community members will be at the County Court house to present a community petition signed by hundreds of county residents and several organizations, institutions and businesses asking the Commissioners not to renew the grant application of state and federal funds for Operation Linebacker and not to continue County support of a failed policy.

“ For us, and our communities, it is now clear that Operation Linebacker has turned out to be more an immigration contention strategy rather than to keep our communities safe and secure by tackling criminality” said Fernando Garcia, Executive Director of the Border Network for Human Rights, in a letter sent last Friday to the County Commissioners.

“Many families with mixed legal status have already decided not to report possible crimes they may witness due to the immigration enforcement role assumed by the Sheriff office. Others, especially mothers and women, are taking the unfortunate decision not to call the Sheriff in situations of abuse. How can we achieve our security goals when our families do not trust our local sheriffs?” Mr. Garcia added in the letter to Commissioners.

In support to the petition, several residents of all over the County will present testimonies of their concerns to the County Commissioner Court, and ask them “to change the course of this story by bringing security, safety and dignity back to our County.’

###

General Contact:
Fernando Garcia  (915) 204-0337 Mobile
Betty Camargo (915) 577-0724    Office
Border Network for Human Rights
2101-A Myrtle Ave
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 577-0724

bh