El Paso Sheriff Criticized Again
Announcement from the Border Network for Human Rights:
Yesterday, the El Paso County Commissioners Court passed aresolution opposing the policy and the practice of El Paso Sheriff Office ofenforcing federal immigration laws. The Border Network for Human Rightscommends this resolution and supports the decision of County Commissionerssince sets up and important precedent of de-linking criminal and communitysecurity enforcement from immigration related policies.
In the resolution, passed bymajority (4-1), the County Commissioner and the County Judge called upon theSheriff’s Office to limit its enforcement activities and restrain fromsingle out individuals from legal scrutiny “based solely on thecountry of origin, religion, race, ethnicity, or immigration status.”Additionally, County officials resolved, thru the resolution that agents andemployee of the County “should not inquire about immigration status of crimevictims, witnesses, or other who call or request assistance from them.”
For the past months, BorderNetwork for Human Rights has been supporting the effort of communities in EastEl Paso to end the Sheriff’s office attempts to enforce federal immigrationlaws. According to families and individuals living in the communities of SanElizario, Agua Dulce, Sparks, and Montana Vista, the Sheriff’s Department hasbeen holding immigration roadblocks and conducting immigration raids in theircommunities. Mothers expressed fear in taking their children to school,and other community members spoke of fear of going to the store or calling theSheriff’s Office in the event of a crime, emergency, or even domestic violence.
In June of 2006 the communities ofEast El Paso presented a petition signed by more than 3,000 persons asking forthe resignation of Sheriff Leo Samaniego and a halt to the policy of harassmentheld by the Sheriff’s Office.
After that community outcry, inJune 23rd of this year El Paso County Sheriff, lead by LeoSamaniego, temporarily suspended his policy and practice under the OperationLinebacker program by which he and his deputies engaged in the enforcement ofimmigration laws. At that time, the Border Network for Human Rights recognizedsuch announcement, but demanded a permanent County policy and called upon theSheriff’s Office to proactively regain the community’s trust.
The El Paso County resolution was,indeed, a victory of organized communities in El Paso County and a result of anintense campaign in our region to ensure community security and protection ofcivil and human rights of border residents.
The Border Network for HumanRights hopes that the County Sheriff Chief Leo Samaniego and itsdeputies will comply with the recommendation, parameters and values stated inthe county resolution and proceeds to restore community trust and the sense ofsecurity jeopardized by past activities from their office.
The Border Network for HumanRights, in conjunction with the communities of East El Paso, will continue tomonitor the situation on the ground and document testimonies with regards tothe violation of civil rights on the part of the Sheriff’s Office. Based on theresults of monitoring, the communities of East El Paso and the Border Networkfor Human Rights will consider withdrawing the petition for the resignation ofLeo Samaniego.
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