State/local law enforcement while in immigration process

[f&c 50]

Just curious about any experiences with local law enforcement while in the immigration process or living in the US illegally. As a police officer, I always try to be compassionate and understanding when dealing with illegal or out of status immigrants, but I know that isn't the case with every officer. Sadly, any victims do not report crimes because of their immigration status (which we do not check).

Traffic stops are by far the primary type of encounter with illegals or with people in various stages of the immigration process though. If in my state over 30 days, a foreign driver's license (even if displayed with passport) is not valid and the driver can be cited and arrested, however I usually let them go or cite and release for 30 days to obtain a state driver's license unless there is an outstanding warrant or other crime. Our county jail does not particapte in 287g or check status, but I just don't feel right slamming someone with a several hundred dollar ticket, because they are headed to work to provide for their familes. FYI, "international" driver's licenses are not recognized.

Personally, I think if one's identity can be verified, people should be able to obtain a driver's license (not for identification purposes), but for the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Despite my advice, my wife continues to drive on her Ontario, Canada license putting herself at risk. I've had this approach before meeting her, but I would be a hypocrite if I arrested a foreigner for driving without a license.

[TBoneTX 43,394]

I, a born U.S. citizen, was once impeded by a Sheriff's Deputy until I answered the question "U.S. citizen?" His agency wasn't participating in 287g, either.

And no one wants to experience what USCs go through at the inland CBP gulag south of Alpine, Texas.

Edited January 28, 2014 by TBoneTX

[NickD 202]

Certainly a state dependent issue, 50 different states, 50 different sets of laws. Wisconsin is strict on this if caught, particularly if caught driving under the influence. If undocumented, will end up in a county jail, even for months, until feds come over to escort them out of the country.

Happened to my stepdaughters co-worker in her part time job when working in college,he got drunk, pulled to the side of the road and was arrested. Spent a couple of months in the country jail, then was escorted out by two big men. Someone kept all of his assets, left the country broke with just the shirt on his back.

Wife had two choices when applying for a driver's license, lie and say she was a US citizen, they don't even check this or show the DMV her green card. She couldn't even drive until she got her conditional green card, and we sure didn't want to lie. Then they only gave her a probationary license that expired after her green card expired. They said and I quote, what in the hell is a one year extension notice. That was a battle with the governor for me, without that license, she couldn't even work. State just appointed a new immigration officer that didn't know anything about immigration, spent a week with him trying to teach him the basics, then she finally received the full 8 year license. Also received an apology letter from the head of our DMV.

Understand the Illinois recently passed a law to issue driver's licenses to undocumented persons, makes some sense, that can't even get auto insurance without one.

[f&c 50]

I, a born U.S. citizen, was once impeded by a Sheriff's Deputy until I answered the question "U.S. citizen?" His agency wasn't participating in 287g, either.

And no one wants to experience what USCs go through at the inland CBP gulag south of Alpine, Texas.

I never would have thought that the US could possibly head toward a "show me your papers" nation.

[f&c 50]

Washington state issues driver's licenses to people without status or SSNs. The Washington DLs say not for identification on them. I believe California recently passed a similar law, but unsure if it has been enacted as of yet.

[TBoneTX 43,394]

I never would have thought that the US could possibly head toward a "show me your papers" nation.

This was in the "de-Constitutionalized zone" within 100 miles of one of the borders. (I would still like to know who de-Constitutionalized it, and when the memo went out about it.)

[f&c 50]

This was in the "de-Constitutionalized zone" within 100 miles of one of the borders. (I would still like to know who de-Constitutionalized it, and when the memo went out about it.)

The Minutemen? lol

[Shiobhan 235]

Sometimes those agents are a little further in than

100 miles, recently a woman got caught up in a dragnet

by 4 agents, she had her baby and 2 small kids, illegal

tired after work and scared ....she hollered soooooo hard

they seem to have a heart moment letting her off with a

warning she'll be taken in next time they run into her, guess

the minute-men was not with them that day

[Darnell 8,478]

Certainly a state dependent issue, 50 different states, 50 different sets of laws. Wisconsin is strict on this if caught, particularly if caught driving under the influence. If undocumented, will end up in a county jail, even for months, until feds come over to escort them out of the country.

Happened to my stepdaughters co-worker in her part time job when working in college,he got drunk, pulled to the side of the road and was arrested. Spent a couple of months in the country jail, then was escorted out by two big men. Someone kept all of his assets, left the country broke with just the shirt on his back.

Wife had two choices when applying for a driver's license, lie and say she was a US citizen, they don't even check this or show the DMV her green card. She couldn't even drive until she got her conditional green card, and we sure didn't want to lie. Then they only gave her a probationary license that expired after her green card expired. They said and I quote, what in the hell is a one year extension notice. That was a battle with the governor for me, without that license, she couldn't even work. State just appointed a new immigration officer that didn't know anything about immigration, spent a week with him trying to teach him the basics, then she finally received the full 8 year license. Also received an apology letter from the head of our DMV.

Understand the Illinois recently passed a law to issue driver's licenses to undocumented persons, makes some sense, that can't even get auto insurance without one.

Thankfully, 'Hold For ICE' is among all 50 states. Yay !

I never would have thought that the US could possibly head toward a "show me your papers" nation.

I not have a problem with that, and neither should you.

being an illegal and working illegally breaks the food chain that so many citizens relied on.

[f&c 50]

Thankfully, 'Hold For ICE' is among all 50 states. Yay !

I not have a problem with that, and neither should you.

being an illegal and working illegally breaks the food chain that so many citizens relied on.

I do not have a problem with the law being enforced and illegals being turned away or detained at the border. That being said, I would have a problem with officers randomly stopping people for the purpose of showing documentation.

[TBoneTX 43,394]

The Minutemen? lol

Uniformed "peace" officers.

I do not have a problem with the law being enforced and illegals being turned away or detained at the border. That being said, I would have a problem with officers randomly stopping people for the purpose of showing documentation.

The Fourth Amendment was already on life support and is effectively dead, sigh man.

[NickD 202]

Bush kid comes along to get our minds off Iraq and brings up illegals and gay marriages. State of Wisconsin, jumps on this and instantly makes a law fining an employer $16,300.00, don't know how they came up with this number, for hiring an illegal. All except for Land O' Lakes, treated each farm they took from families, and were permitted not to check their employees if they had three or under. Not as a huge corporation for the number of farms they took over, but for just one farm.

Wife was working for a large hospital chain, all had to show their birth certificates, she was put on the red carpet because all she had at the time was an expired conditional green card with that stupid one year extension notice. What in the hell is an extension notice. This took a lot of explaining. Same thing with universities, proof of being here legally, Stepdaughter also had an expired condition card with that extension notice, but her university had people more educated in immigration law, they understood this. DMV has complete idiots on immigration law. This was another problem for us.

Two of my stepdaughter's classmates, could not bring this proof, were brought here, a brother and sister and 2 and 1 years of age. On a slightly overextended tourist visa. Sure made a big deal out of this, shipping these kids back home to some Arab country where they would be dead lost. Never did learn what they did with these kids.

But this is one case where everybody had to show their papers.

[NickD 202]

Oh forgot to mention the African Americans mostly in the Milwaukee area that were born at home without a birth certificate. Only heard mentions of this, but mostly dealing with voting issues.

[TBoneTX 43,394]

Returning more to the topic, too many LEOs these days have abandoned (if they'd ever adopted) the "serve & protect" mindset and have embraced the "I can do what I want and you will do what I say" approach.

I compare the highly professional inland CBP checkpoint north of Laredo, Texas (where only immigration status is checked) with the gulag south of Alpine, Texas (where you shall report where you've been, where you're going, what you're doing, and all details between, or you are not allowed to pass). Once, I answered "I'm heading north" (which was true), but it wasn't good enough for them.

If I'm ever inflicted with the latter again and am asked where I'm going, I'll say "I haven't decided yet" or (if I want to be ejected from the vehicle and questioned) with a cheery "Why, anywhere I want to, of course! Isn't that the greatest thing about our country?"

Edited February 3, 2014 by TBoneTX