Orange County sheriff's deputies would be among the nation's first local law enforcement officers trained to enforce federal immigration laws under a proposal by Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) -- a plan that's already stirring controversy.
The proposal, under review by sheriff's officials, is at odds with the official policy of most police departments in California, and many police chiefs have traditionally seen immigration law enforcement as a wedge between their officers and the Latino community. The thought is that immigrants would be less likely to report crimes if they believe officers will inquire about their legal status.
In Santa Ana, for example, officers are not even allowed to assist U.S. Border Patrol or immigration agents when they conduct sweeps in the heavily Latino city. Exceptions are made when federal authorities need assistance in criminal investigations.
Sheriff's officials say enforcing immigration law is a tool needed to fight terrorism.
A small group of deputies would go through a five-week training program to make them familiar with the federal laws.
Orange County Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo said he is aware of the concern among some Latinos but insisted that deputies intend to use their federal authority as a tool to fight terrorism and, more specifically, track down criminals. Jaramillo is heading a Sheriff's Department study of the training plan and said a decision will be made before Dec. 31.
"We're not interested in doing immigration raids or tracking down good people who are undocumented," Jaramillo said. "We're going after people who are identified in criminal and terrorist activity."
Cox, the chairman of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, said the plan could be a model for law enforcement in the United States.
But some say it could put the Sheriff's Department on a slippery slope.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) is among those warning that empowering deputies to enforce immigration law will strain relations in immigrant communities, especially in San Juan Capistrano, where Latinos say they have been harassed and mistreated by deputies and Border Patrol agents.
Deputies raided the homes of six Latino families in July, looking for the men who beat up and stabbed four Marines in a highly publicized brawl in San Juan Capistrano's historic downtown. The aggressive search in the town's immigrant community left some residents feeling angered or fearful.
