Here's a story courtesy of The News on 6, Tulsa, Hispanics Fear Persecution By Law Enforcement. From the story we're told of several dilemmas Hispanics are facing in Oklahoma now that H.B 1804 has taken effect:
Dilemma no. 1:
"Many Hispanics across Oklahoma are living in fear."
Webster's answer to the dilemma: Leave.
Dilemma no. 2, according to Rev. Miguel Rivera (this is the individual, as you'll recall, who threatened that he and his organization were going to "make an example out of Oklahoma."):
"We cannot trust the Tulsa Police Department or the sheriff department."
Answer to the dilemma: Leave.
Dilemma no. 3, according to Hispanic Tulsa law enforcement officer, Jesse Guardiola:
"He says a rush of unreported crimes could be extremely harmful to the Hispanic community."
Answer to dilemma:
Honor the law by convincing Hispanic illegals that they must LEAVE. This will also greatly reduce crime within the Hispanic (and the less important, or, unimportant non-Hispanic native) community, I guarantee.
Dilemma no. 4, as created by the Tulsa County Sherriff's Office in misleading Hispanic illegals:
"The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says the only Hispanic people who need to worry about being deported are the ones who are here illegally and are caught committing a crime."
Answer to dilemma:
Change the language of your policy (at least the way you explain it), it is misleading, and therefore unfair to Hispanics by giving them a false sense of security. Being here illegally IS a crime. So, if they're here illegally and you know this, you've already "caught them committing a crime." And if this policy, or this explanation of this policy, causes fear in the Hispanic community, the answer is to LEAVE.
The full story is entered below.Many Hispanics across Oklahoma are living in fear. They say they fear persecution at the hands of local law enforcement. News On 6 Anchor Jennifer Loren reports some Hispanic members of the Tulsa Police Department are trying to address those fears.
Tulsa Police officer Jesse Guardiola recruits and trains police force hopefuls. He's also a link to the Hispanic community.
"They ask, whether in English or Spanish, 'What's the police department's stance on it?’” said Jesse Guardiola.
He says the Tulsa Police Department has been put in the middle of the immigration issue, especially since certain Hispanic leaders have publicly stated police can't be trusted.
“You have a problem at your home, you have a robbery, you have a crime against you, call the FBI. We cannot trust the Tulsa Police Department or the sheriff department,” said Rev. Miguel Rivera.
Tulsa Police officer Jesse Guardiola says that's not right. Speaking for the Tulsa Police Department, he encourages Hispanics, legal or not, to continue reporting crimes.
He says a rush of unreported crimes could be extremely harmful to the Hispanic community.
"You become more of a target when the criminal element realize that you're not doing anything about it. And again, once they realize that I can hide amongst you or target you, well then you're an easy target,” said Tulsa Police officer Jesse Guardiola.
The bottom line, he says, is that Tulsa police are here to serve and protect, no matter who you are or where you're from.
"We want to stand on that line and help those that can't help themselves," said Tulsa Police officer Jesse Guardiola.
The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says the only Hispanic people who need to worry about being deported are the ones who are here illegally and are caught committing a crime.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Oklahoma Hispanics Living in Fear
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3 comments:
This is the best thing to come out of Oklahoma ever, bar none! The state should be proud of taking a leadership role in this respect. Other states need to adopt very similar policies and vigorous enforcement.
Dr. D,
Respectfully, I think this might be the second-best thing to come out of Oklahoma. The Morris family stands as an example for all Americans on patriotic self-government. I'm honored to call this guy a friend and a brother.
-MT
Dr. D,
Thank you for the kind words about my native state. Hopefully we are learning here to take a leadership role rather than waiting on other states to do so for us to follow. At least one other state that I know of has followed suit on immigration -- Arizona. And that state may have actually written its law in advance of Oklahoma, though its governor would not sign the bill until the great Amnesty bill in the U.S. Senate went down in flames. Much more work is left to do, of course, but you have to start somewhere. Oklahoma is as good a place as any, I suppose.
You know what they say: "either lead, follow, or get out of the way."
Again, I appreciate your nice comments. And I agree, this is one of the best and most significant things to come out of Oklahoma during the 100 yrs. of its political existence. We had to elect our first majority Republican Congress last election cycle to get it done. (that's not an endorsement of the GOP, by the way, just a fact.)
Mike, I'm no shining example of patriotic self-government, but I do recognize the great import of self-government on preserving and maintaining this Republic for posterity's sake. Without self-government, in my humble opinion, it isn't worth saving. So to me the key and vital ingredient is self-government. And I ain't talking about the libertarian brand of self-government either.
I think you give me too much credit, but I'm honored that you're honored to call me brother. And, of course, the feeling is mutual.
-Terry
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