Illegal immigration is hot issue in some county sheriff races
Illegal immigration is hot issue in some county sheriff races
By Devona Walker
Published: July 26, 2008
Before House Bill 1804 went into effect in November, Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz was vigilant in enforcing federal immigration law.
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Other law officers' enforcement criticized
In advance of Tuesday's primary election, Helm and others have spent the past month rallying behind officials who support their ideology. They also are working to unseat those they perceive as being nonsupportive or "lackadaisical in their enforcement of the rule of law.”
The anti-illegal immigrant network has focused on sheriff, judge and district attorney elections, offices that have the most discretion in determining how HB 1804 and federal immigration law is enforced.
While the groups support Glanz's work, they have vocally criticized other sheriffs for what they see as a lack of vigilance. Helm said the state is filled with elected law enforcement officials who are failing to do their job when it comes to immigration enforcement.
"I talk to a lot of folks all over, everywhere from Altus to Woodward to Miami,” Helm said. "I think the entire state is tired of the drain on the local communities. The local communities are in worse shape than Tulsa, and you know how bad that is.”
"Some people think immigration is a federal issue, but so is robbing a bank. You just don't ignore it when you see it happening,” said Glanz, who says he has reduced crime by enforcing immigration laws.
This position has not been supported by the Tulsa Police Department, which has reported a slight increase in crime due largely to criminals targeting illegal immigrants.
"I don't think they understand the implications on the community of having a strong underbelly of illegal aliens,” Glanz said about lack of enforcement at other departments. "When you have a bunch of illegals in a community, it spawns other types of criminal activity; it helps create an environment where that criminality can exist.”
Immigration not issue in all areas of state
Immigration as a political weapon may have lost its edge elsewhere. In Pottawatomie County, for instance, three candidates are vying for Sheriff Kurt Shirey's job — Mike Booth, Gary Roe and Jay Davis. None is talking about immigration.
"Immigration has not been a big issue here,” Shirey said. "As long as they are law-abiding so they don't draw our attention.”
Shawnee's Hispanic population is officially listed at about 1.9 percent, but illegal immigrants are largely undercounted in those statistics. The city's population is about 30,000. The issue has come up once at a community forum, Shirey said.
"It's just like I told that person at the forum, this is a nation of immigrants, but my point is it needs to be done legally,” Shirey said.
One Pottawatomie County resident echoed Shirey's views.
"We have a flurry of immigrants around here. They come and they go,” said Debra Short, 49, a small-business owner in Shawnee. "I will make my decision based on the character of the person running.”
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Your thoughts!
Randy, Moore: Please get this though your head...I don't give a flying flip the skin color or the country of origin of the illegals. I don't care where they came from and the vast majority who are against illegal immigration are the same way. Don't think I have ever mentioned Mexicans or Latinos or Hispanics etc. Even though the facts are that most are Hispanics that come from south of the U.S. border and most of those do come from Mexico, it doesn't matter! They could all be from Canada or China and my response would be the same. If you are here illegally GO BACK HOME. If you come here legally and obey the laws once you are here, then welcome. Have you even read HB 1804? I have and I defy you to find a single word, phrase, sentence or paragraph that is mean spirited, is racist (mentions anyone by race) or xenophobic (fear of foreigners). You won't find it because it isn't there. Instead of going on your own fear mongering rant, educate yourself on the issue. Read. Comprehend. Learn.
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jul 27, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I don't know where all the illegal Mexicans, tans, Asians, Vietnamese etc. are, but I do know where a whole lot of illegal immigrants live and prosper. Start at S. Shields to S.Western and from S. 15th St. to S. 59th St. This area is alive with many Mexican, tan, whatever, folks who are here legally or are born and bred American and add a richness to their neighborhood that while not lucrative in dollars is darn sure productive in every way that matters to the State (TAXES). This area is also known for the number of illegals, gangs, and the high crime rate. This should inform the immigration boards where they can find lots of illegals and send them home (wherever they come from). Possibly, by ridding the area of illegals who have no investment in the area, the legal citizens can prosper and enjoy the fruits of labor they have and continue to bust their butts for.
Sallie, Del City - Jul 27, 2008 at 5:24 pm
lanny. the 5 or 6 blowhards on the immigration boards are all admitted racists. you will have an easier time getting their teeth fixed than change their cowardly, lazy, immature, emotional, social, economic problems. these "vocal miority" posters never bring up the other illegals of any other decent. its always the mexicans. these are the cowards that see a tan person and automatically think they are illegal, and costing them every penny they have. ask these fools to take you to where all these illegals are. they can not do it. when they were children they were scared of the boogeyman, now they are scared of the "millions" of illegals in oklahoma. these people dont realize that all these illegals, work visa's, temp.s, immagrants are keeping the social security system afloat. these people pay taxes. probably more than some of the racists you see on this board. my mom is one of them. they are just stupid.
Randy, Moore - Jul 27, 2008 at 4:28 pm
First point, names, such as Sallie, Jerry, John, Richard, (Lanny) are American native names. Does that mean American Indian blood? (are you American Indian Lanny?) My grandfather sold his Indian rights back to the U.S. government (early 1900's) before I was ever born because they pi""ed him off and to me that is not a relevant issue but interesting historically. However we look at our great great grand parents; they are/were American natives as they fought in the American Revolution and the 1876 and Civil wars WA1 WA2 etc, which you, me and all the others who write into this forum should recognize as a historical fact, not as the "what about me attitude taken today".The British settled here and created havoc and great change. Did we take over this country and a truly native race by conquest (right, wrong, good or evil), yes we did. Just as the Romans, the Mongolians, Iranians, Mexicans, Spanish, Spartans,etc. have done through out history. But history is what it is (I doubt seriously that the Irish, British, Africans or Scotts would welcome us back to our native countries with open arms) and we can't change that. I am still a taxpaying, voting Native American/Oklahoman/Californian/Floridian. Other than pilgrams, the "other" whites and blacks came here as indentured servants. Work for 7 years, then freedom. Slavery (sadly) came later. Illegal immigrants are serving the same purpose but they are neither free or contributary.
That cheap labor undercuts any strong economy and is encouraged by employers, and most state govts and a whole lot by the Feds is the primary concern by the public. Why pay a decent wage when illegals (Mexican, Vietmanes, Chinese, Iranians, South American, etc.)can be exploited as cheap labor while "natives" go without jobs or live on the princely minimum wage deemed by others as sufficient? Basically it comes down to profit. To hell with all the humanitarian crap. The majority of people in Today's society want illegals out and that means "all" No discrimination here, ALL. That Americans live in a nation or state that agrees that $6.00 ph is a high dollar wage ('or better than nothin') is down right disgusting. That there should be and is an "it's acceptable" attitude with such thinking is downright stupid. Our countrys' stability is at stake. For those who think this in incorrect, please go to Mexico or another 3rd world country to see what unfair truly means. Secondly, do we Americans have a high opinion of ourselves? You bet!!!. Thats why we don't eat out of trash cans, or in a country hell bent on butchering one another. To see how we got where we are, or on how to continue with any government or social stability, go to the history books before blowing off your mouth. History has a nasty way of repeating itself. p.s. for the spelling, grammar or English majors out there, my apologies. This is really skinny area to see through here so I am going to post it anyway.
Sallie, Del City - Jul 27, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Hi Jan. Of course there are racists and bigots, no denying that fact. But for the vast majority of those against illegal immigration, it is not a racial issue at all. "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American… There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.” — Theodore Roosevelt, 1907. That is all we are asking for here, that they come here legally, obey the same laws the rest of us have to obey and become Americans...most will welcome them with open arms. But it is also a falsehood that they are "honest, hard-working people...just trying to make life better for themselves and their family." Notice they almost always put the honest and hard-working part together? What is honest about coming into the country illegally? What is honest about being illegally employed? What is honest about forgery of documents or identity theft? Then there is the "they are just trying to make life better..." The same argument can be said for someone who breaks into your car or house and steals all of your stuff. After all they are just trying to make a living, provide things for themselves and their families.
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jul 27, 2008 at 3:47 am
Despite his grammar (or typos) I don't know which, Dave, Indianapolis seems to have given a lot of time and concern to the problem of illegal immigration. Unfortunately, his sources seem to have been both biased and anecdotal. It is fairly obvious that not everyone named Jose or Tomas or Maria or Alejandro is either here illegally or guilty of any criminal act.
It's the old trick of demonizing a group you fear that has sustained the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis, the Aryan Nation and numerous other hate groups. And, if you wonder, Yes, those groups are here in Oklahoma. Some in Oklahoma City, some in the Tulsa, some in the southwestern part of the state, and at least one publisher of hate material in the eastern part of the state. Matter-of-fact, black on black violent crime is far more common than Hispanic on Anglo violent crime. Of course there are Hispanic criminals here just as there are Native American criminals, black criminals and, oh yes, white criminals. But, if you look at those facts, you don't get to blacken the reputations of a whole group of people of whom you don't approve. So, there are people who ignore the facts, and want to put everyone with a Hispanic name in a category of despots. In past years, it was the Germans, the Irish, the Poles, the Czechs and, of course the blacks who got this kind of treatment. Now, the bullies are concentrating on the Latin Americans. When are they going to tire of this silly crap?
Jan, Oklahoma City - Jul 26, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Slavery wasn't abolished, it just became an equal opportunity employer with minimum wage...LOL
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jul 26, 2008 at 9:58 pm
lanny, Tulsa wrote: "Listen to your President, he is your man and he wants work permits for Mexican workers let in legally." Have no problem with that at all, the problem is, Bush, McCain and Obama all want to give amnesty to the 12 to 20 million who are here illegally. That is rewarding, criminal/illegal behavior.
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jul 26, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Gosh Einstein, I didn't realize the slaves came here voluntarily!
lanny, Tulsa - Jul 26, 2008 at 9:32 pm
God, this country is in such denial about the real problems. Enslaving people of color?? Give me a break!
K, Edmond - Jul 26, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I wonder if this would have the same muster if were talking about Iranians, Pakistanis, or Palestinians? I believe the Old South made the same argument that if they didn't have slaves, the entire economy would collapse. As history points out, the union has endured. I wish we could stop our government and big business from trying to enslave people of color. Maybe at some point in our nation's history, it will stop.
J.T.(I), Norman - Jul 26, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Our President is on his way OUT! It doesn't really matter what he wants! The citizens of this country want these illegals out of here and one way or another we will succeed!
K, Edmond - Jul 26, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Larry, Sallie, John, Jerry, Richard, Brent;
all good solid Native American names! Listen to your President, he is your man and he wants work permits for Mexican workers let in legally.
lanny, Tulsa - Jul 26, 2008 at 5:08 pm
lanny, Tulsa wrote: "Give em work permits and monitor them but keep em for reasons of common sense in lieu of hate." Don't hate anyone here, but let them come in legally and obey the laws once they are here. Common sense dictates that you remove the criminal element. You do not reward criminal behavior. We already do what you are suggesting. Reward those that are doing things the right way instead of breaking the law. Maybe it needs to be expanded. But to suggest that they are taking jobs that Americans (or legal immigrants) don't want is patently untrue. Even in job sectors where there are large numbers of illegals working (a crime) the majority are still held by Americans and legal immigrants. EVERY job they have was once held by an American or legal immigrant. This is not about hatred of any race or country of origin (neither is HB 1804...I suggest you read it as I have, there is not a single word, phrase, sentence or paragraph that mentions any person's race or country of origin). I don't care what skin clor they are or what country they are from, if they are here illegally, they need to go back (voluntary deportation or enforced). That is the penalty for their crime. If they have committed other crimes while here (falsification of papers, identity theft, employment, etc, etc, then they need to pay the penalty for those crimes as well).
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jul 26, 2008 at 4:53 pm
lanny of tulsa, you sound like a law breaker in total since you do not want any enforced, are you a bank robber or other type of criminal? since you support criminals who just want to steal from us and nothing else. the little put back by these criminals is peanuts to the welfare, schooling, health, and so many other items depleting the funds available to citizens is a drop in the buchet. your bs about roofers is just that. go back 10 years, or so, and you will find out there were many citiozens doing that job as well as many others, but there was a conserted effort by businesses as well as our government to bring in a slave labor group and firmly replaced these workers. one the businesses got next to free labor with the tax payers paying for the social services needed because of this low wage and the government with foxx of mexico pleading the way help stay off the financial failure of the mexican government by these so called immigrants (actually criminals) sending most of their income back to their relatives. again we the tax payers are footing the bill for that side of the fact. if the sending of funds stopped mexico, as well as many other central america countries would fail.
your are just an idiot to support this wanton disrespect for our laws for two groups who do not give a damm about the citizens of this country.
richard, oklahoma city - Jul 26, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I wish these do gooders would leave my mex slaves alone.
Jerry L., Guthrie - Jul 26, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Let me see? Work on a 2 or 3 story roof or road work for $6.00 per hour (if lucky) as an illegal worker, or do the same work at a halfway decent liveable wage for a legal worker or God forbid an Oklahoma taxpaying native. To pay people enough to eat is too much to ask? This is not cheesy, poor, crime infested Mexico, nor is it racism. This is the USA. Our history is based on long, hard and dangerous battles to give us what we have now, and have enjoyed since 1776. To imply that this State needs illegals to put on roofs or build roads is so mind boggling. Mexico would not even have a traveable (spelling?) transportation system without other nations help and advice. Read your history books for crimeny sakes. Even Mexican history reflects the problem of advancements through the past 100 years. If I am susposed to feel guilty or racist or unenlightend because I want illegals out, to fricken bad. OK lanny, fire away.
Sallie, Del City - Jul 26, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I'd like to see you slack-jawed, beer-bellied guys shingling these 2 & 3 story roofs or doing road work, etc. Give em work permits and monitor them but keep em for reasons of common sense in lieu of hate.
lanny, Tulsa - Jul 26, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Most county sheriff's departments in Oklahoma are strapped for manpower. It's common to see that many with staffs less than 20 officers are struggling to meet deadlines on serving civil papers, while trying to keep a presence of law and order in rural areas. Expecting them to play a more vital role in dealing with INS issues is not a realistic goal. During arrests related to other crimes or persons brought to them to be jailed by other law enforcement agencies they certainly can identify people who have entered the country illegally, and work to try to return them to their native country. The sad thing is the smaller sheriff's departments usually get ignored by INS who is after larger scale operations than one or two illegals here and/or there. Thus their bounty is turned loose instead of keeping them jailed where the costs of housing an inmate is an ever present concern for the sheriff’s budget. If the voter's intent on chasing out illegal residents, cause the sheriff to divert his/her attentions from their intended purpose of providing civil and criminal enforcements, you open a whole new discussion to the aspects of fighting crime that is being nudged out of metropolitan areas to rural settings where they can operate on the down low. Allowing the opportunity for this element of crime to crawl in undetected and into unexpected rural locales, poses a greater threat to Back Roads Oklahoma, than does the person that jumped the border to enter the country in search of employment. The question to voters is do you want your sheriff’s department to become an extension of the U.S. Border Patrol or to function as a law enforcement entity serving a more broad purpose?
Casey, Edmond - Jul 26, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Good job Dave. We need to take our country back, time to restore America!
C, Oklahoma city - Jul 26, 2008 at 12:02 pm
dave well said the more people like yourself who band together the sooner we can overcome the liberal ignorance and truly fix a few things
Brent, Jenks - Jul 26, 2008 at 11:46 am
Most Sheriff's or police enforcement are handcuffed themselves by the elected officials, who run each county, city or community. Many are limp rags who rather not touch the explosive issue of illegal immigration. They prefer to not make waves in the communities around the country, but then their are hard core officers of the law. Sheriff Joe Ariapo of Maricopa county, Arizona doesn't play possum or dance to any corrupt administration. His funds were cut by Governor Neapolitano, with some lame excuse. So the majority of people who elected him donated money to his office. Unhappy with the situation big business, La Raza (the Race) have domonised him, but its water of a ducks back. He has enforced the laws according to his state and arrested thousands of illegal aliens, sending many self deporting while others have headed to 'Sanctuary cities' like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Salt Lake city.
Governor Neapolitano has allowed the massive influx of illegal immigrants, that nearly brought Arizona to its economic knees.
Mayor Phil Gordon is not the only Mayor who needs to be recalled? Mayor Newsom of San Francisco who has turned the city into a killing field for illegal criminal aliens. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who is equally to blame for the deaths of innocent American citizens.
Then again any Governor like Neapolitano, Mayors or any of the tainted elected city official, who had allowed the growth of gangs or the criminal filth from third world countries should be sent to prison. Sanctuary city polices have undermined police enforcement and cost California for instance $11 billion dollars, in financially supporting predatory employment of illegal cheap labor. They are in violation of Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A): they broke Federal law. It states, "..a person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:
Of course we will never know how many bystanders have been slaughtered in the communities around the country by illegal aliens. I just know that I'm going to add this travesty to my comments or blogs daily. So these idiots who run our country are not to be forgotten of their crimes called 'Sanctuary city'.
But when you are a miserable puppet of big business who 'brown bags' money to you, what do we expect? Its absolutely absurd that we hire these morons every year, who allow this unceasing illegal immigration infestation in this nation. Those people are true American patriots, should find out the unrestricted facts, not found in the biased press. NUMBERSUSA, AMERICAN PATROL, LIBERTY POST, IMMIGRATION NEWS INDEXER.
Dave, Indianapolis - Jul 26, 2008 at 11:39 am
Anyone voting for pro illegal immigration should pack their bags and move out of the U.S.
C, Oklahoma city - Jul 26, 2008 at 11:27 am
outsourcing our jobs, and letting the indians come here and do what they want, if they are so good for our economy, why is Mexico in the condition it is ? Oklahoma will turn into Mexico, thios is not racism, this is business sense.
Terrell has been right all along. WAKE UP PEOPLE.
C, Oklahoma city - Jul 26, 2008 at 11:26 am
This unnamed war on American sovereignty has cost Americans dearly. According to CIS.org the cost of illegal immigrants is about $2,736 per household. That amounts to $30,916,800,000 (per year). That number is the cost per household which is $2,736 by the number of illegal immigrants estimated in 2007 which is 11.3 million reported illegals. The $30 billion can be slightly lower, but more likely higher because the true number of illegal immigrants can not be know as not all are reported.
C, Oklahoma city - Jul 26, 2008 at 11:24 am
Lanny, the easy target is the U.S.
arrest these illegals, stay in your own country and fix it.
Illegals are a drain on U.S.
Mexico is your home. if you dont like it do something about it.
You shouldnt have the right to post here.
C, Oklahoma city - Jul 26, 2008 at 11:11 am
Lanny, pot, kettle, black. ¡Te toca a ti!
Earl, Oklahoma City - Jul 26, 2008 at 9:56 am
One nation under surveillance, with liberty and justice for oil. I bet you boys like the FISA Bill too !
lanny, Tulsa - Jul 26, 2008 at 9:45 am
Randy, why don't you move to California, or South Texas if you love illegals so much. Open borders are BAD for America. BTW: I live in Pott County, and can vote for the Sheriff...Get your facts straight before you spout off.
John, Maud - Jul 26, 2008 at 9:41 am
unlike the traitor walker and the unoklahoman glanz sees this as an issue of law enforcemnet not an immigration issue. it is not hat lanny , it is enforcing the laws of this country and making sure the citizen's tax money is use on citizens and not criminals who slither across our borders. at every polling place through out the state an ICE agent needs to be there since these criminals use alot of fraudulent paperwork instead of doing one iota legally. deportation is starting and it will be done as that is the will of the citizens. if you don't think so, put it to a test by putting on the ballot (no law suites allowed after the vote) for citizens to vote on.
richard, oklahoma city - Jul 26, 2008 at 9:20 am
People miserable in their own lives transfer that rage and unhappiness to anyone that is an easy target.
lanny, Tulsa - Jul 26, 2008 at 7:56 am
john...maud...i dont think they care about your vote. your not in that district, so you have no vote in the matter. your priorities are just as off if you think immigration is a big issue. if you and larry are so worried about it, why dont you go down to the border with your rifle. if your not going to do that, i wish you vocal minority would just shut up. you may think your the majority but your boy terrill is less than a week from being unemployeed. if more of you "enemy's of reality" would just let sleeping dogs lie the world would be a better place.
Randy, Moore - Jul 26, 2008 at 7:34 am
john...maud...i dont think they care about your vote. your not in that district, so you have no vote in the matter. your priorities are just as off if you think immigration is a big issue. if you and larry are so worried about it, why dont you go down to the border with your rifle. if your not going to do that, i wish you vocal minority would just shut up. you may think your the majority but your boy terrill is less than a week from being unemployeed. if more of you "enemy's of reality" would just let sleeping dogs lie the world would be a better place.
Randy, Moore - Jul 26, 2008 at 7:33 am
Well, Shirey just lost my vote with this statement. Illegal immigration IS a big issue, he does not think it is. Guess he just can't keep his priorities straight, like being an elected sheriff, and also working for a tribe's security department. Once you leave the Sheriff's office THEN you can moonlight, ok?
John, Maud - Jul 26, 2008 at 7:25 am
"Immigration has not been a big issue here,” Sheriff Kurt Shirey said. "As long as they are law-abiding....” If he is talking about legal immigration, then fine, but this article is about illegal immigration. Ummm, they are NOT law abiding! What part of "illegal" does this sheriff not understand?? He says that it most be done legally but he isn't enforcing the law??
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jul 26, 2008 at 6:08 am
Stupid redneck thinking.
Playing on the FEARS of whites.
nocona, santa fe - Jul 26, 2008 at 4:41 am
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