Sep 26, 2007 10:33 pm US/Central
Immigration Debate Reignites At Irving Rally
by Jay Gormley
IRVING (CBS 11 News) ―
A new chapter is about to begin in the immigration debate.
Nearly 1,000 people gathered in front of Irving City Hall to protest the city's policy on illegal immigrants Wednesday night.
"I have come here to tell you that the day is over in Irving where Hispanics can be disregarded," Anthony Bond, Local NAACP, said to the crowd.
What started out as a peaceful rally, quickly escalated to a war of words.
Victor Acosta, who came to protest the policy, argued with a supporter. Then he says the other man "looked at me in anger and grabbed me by the neck."
Hispanic leaders are upset over a policy being enforced by the City of Irving. The police department is checking to see if inmates being held in the city's jail are illegal immigrants. If they are, police are turning them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation.
It's a policy several people turned out to support.
"You won't have no fear if you obey the laws of the United States!" screamed a protester.
Opponents claim that police aren't going after serious criminals, but conducting racial profiling and deporting illegal immigrants for minor traffic violations.
"We are not going anywhere," said Hispanic activist Hector Flores. "We are staying here in Irving!"
Two people at the rally were arrested and three people were treated for minor injuries.
"I think that as an American citizen, I have no rights in America!" said a woman who was arrested.
Officials with the City of Irving said no matter who gets stopped by police - if you don't have a driver's license, insurance and can't prove who you are - you're going to jail. Leaders also said it is not the job of the city to deport illegal immigrants - that decision is made by ICE.
Irving police say they do not discriminate. Once someone has been arrested, even for a minor infraction, Congress has given them the right to check their legal status.
Since May, ICE officials confirm that 600 Irving inmates have been identified for deportation. Over the last two years, more than 2,000 inmates have been identified for deportation, city officials say.
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