From September 3, 2007, 2007

National Organizations Cautiously Applaud New Jersey Attorney General's Directive for Reporting Illegal Immigrants

State of New Jersey
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 080
Trenton, New Jersey 

 Dear Attorney General Anne Milgram: 

We are cautiously pleased with the issuance Wednesday of your Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-3.   It is a commendable step forward in the battle to protect the people of New Jersey.  

That said, we do have our reservations and concerns.  Wherever an arrest takes place, law enforcement should be empowered to report to ICE any arrestee whom they suspect is an illegal immigrant, regardless of the underlying offense.  Specifically regarding law enforcement officers deputized under Section 287(g), those officers should not be hindered in exercising the full federal law enforcement authority granted them with respect to any arrestee, and again regardless of the underlying offense.  Sadly, there are far too many cases in your state where, had only the immigration status been checked upon the first ‘minor’ offense, the subsequent felonies committed upon your citizens by the illegal alien would have been avoided. 

We ask you now to lift those last limitations.  Let the officers in your state have full lawful powers to protect the people of New Jersey.  Let the Section 287(g) officers utilize all powers authorized by the federal government.  Anything less is a half-measure, and we are certain you agree no one’s life or safety deserves half-measures. 

Though the limitations on state and local law enforcement gives us serious pause, we do appreciate your overall initiative. 

Sincerely, 

The above individuals have fully consented to their names and organizations being signatories to this letter.  For information about ProAmerica, contact David Marlett at dmarlett@ProAmericaCompanies.com or 214-208-2148