Date: Sat, 21 May 2011 13:31:39 -0400
From: Donna Kelly
Subject: 2009 ICE Resolution Served No Purpose
The supporters of the original ICE Resolution continue to characterize the 2009 Resolution as being about the 287(g) program. Apparently they haven’t read the actual resolution, which clearly states “… the Chatham County Board of Commissioners stands in strong opposition to any local governmental agency contracting with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws.”
Note that it does not say the BOC is opposed to the 287(g) program, it says they are opposed to ANY local agency contracting with ICE for the purpose of enforcing immigration laws.
Two members of Chatham County’s Human Relations Commission gave a presentation on Lessons Learned in Chatham’s Supporting Immigration Rights: Past and Future to the Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee. Since members of our commission refused requests to meet with citizens of Chatham County my husband and I went to Carrboro to hear what they had to say. One of the things they explained was that there was concern about possible requirements to have Social Services verify immigration status and they wanted to make a statement about that as well.
They also confirmed the information that is in the minutes from HRC meetings. The research for the resolution was done after the resolution was written. They refused to give a copy of the resolution to a member of the public who attended one of their meetings even though they had already approved it. They didn’t talk to the sheriff until after they had written and approved the resolution. Despite claims that the resolution supports local law enforcement, they added the paragraph about supporting local law enforcement as a “bone tossed” to the sheriff to help ensure he wouldn’t oppose the resolution. They also verified that although the resolution was originally to be presented to the BOC in September it was decided to hold it until after the election. They discussed how they were afraid of a backlash and their actions show how they tried to keep this project quiet until it was passed for that reason. Another indication was that despite this being their major project for the year it was not mentioned in Esther Coleman’s annual report to the BOC.
My original interest in this resolution was sparked because the supposed supporting documents had nothing to do with local law enforcement of immigration. Despite the talk about opposing the 287(g) program no one in Chatham was considering the 287(g) program. There was a jarring disconnect between what the resolution actually said, the supposed supporting documents and the reasons given for passing the resolution. The Resolution was presented to the BOC and adopted at the same meeting with no opportunity for public input. It just didn’t make sense.
The 287(g) program was not feasible in Chatham County back in 2009 so if there is no reason now to rescind that resolution because it’s clear we won’ t participate then there was no reason to pass the original resolution back in 2009. Furthermore, the resolution is non-binding and has no real effect on law enforcement. If the original resolution is as meaningless as its supporters now claim why not clear up the books and rescind it?
If someone wants to make a statement about Immigration they are free to do so. However, they are not free to claim they are speaking on behalf of Chatham County when it is clear that the original resolution was written and approved without the consent or even the knowledge of the majority of Chatham County citizens.
Donna Kelly
Pittsboro