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Waukegan stands by deportation decision

Cops in full riot gear on hand to enforce violence against undocumented people, as deportation measure receives official sanction. Black and Latino council members join yahoo majority. "Gott Mit Uns!"
July 17, 2007
BY NORMAN PARISH AND LEONARD N. FLEMING Staff Reporters

WAUKEGAN -- Despite the presence of opponents inside and protesters outside its chambers, the Waukegan City Council voted Monday to stand by a controversial decision to join federal efforts to deport violent undocumented offenders.

The vote to back the council's decision last month to expand immigration powers and deportation proceedings was 8-2, with Mayor Richard Hyde making a special point of voting to support the measure.

"I feel wonderful," Hyde said in an interview after the vote. "This is one of the best things that has happened to this city."

Hundreds of police officers dressed in riot gear were on hand during the rally and protests against the 287(g) measure at Waukegan's City Hall. There were no reported incidents and the march was peaceful.

Hyde said the enforcement measure will better help police deal with crime, streamline the deportation process and get rid of illegal immigrant offenders more quickly.
Maricela Fajardo, a 32-year-old Waukegan store manager, left the meeting disappointed.

"I don't agree with this," she said. "This wasn't right. I think it is just discrimination."

More than 100 motivated opponents spilled out as soon as the vote was taken, while authorities prepared for trouble, donning riot gear and holding police dogs on leash.

Moving forward with the federal 287(g) authorization would ultimately mean Waukegan police could obtain authority to begin deportation proceedings for illegal residents convicted of violent crimes and drug violations.

Earlier Monday, the street outside the municipal building in the far north suburban city was inundated with more than 3,000 people -- mostly Hispanics -- who held a loud but peaceful protest rally.

"I just want to see justice for everyone," said Carlos Torres, a 49-year-old salesman whose family has been in the United States for a generation. He clutched a miniature American flag.

"We were made by God. My family has helped make this country," Torres said. "They [the City Council] are not fair. We need justice."

But there were about 50 proponents of the measure, like Phillip Dill, 52, of Waukegan, who held a dueling rally of sorts.

"I want the illegals out of here," said Dill, who also held a small American flag. "I don't have a problem with the people who are legal. I think that [the proposed law] should be tougher."

Two black and two Hispanic council members were among those casting votes on the expanded enforcement -- with one black and one Hispanic showing their support for the controversial measure.

Came from North Carolina

Waukegan officials were ready for the face-off, as more than 100 police officers from various law enforcement agencies -- some on horseback -- worked the barricaded crowd.
Protesters who lined Martin Luther King Drive likened the city ordinance to racial profiling.

Various signs excoriated the council over the issue. One exclaimed, "Forget Iraq, Waukegan has its own private war with the Mexicans."

Ramon Becerra, president of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, called for a boycott for businesses that don't support their cause. He said that 200 companies out of 1,200 are backing him.

"We will not compromise," Becerra said. "We will not negotiate. We will use every inch of our resources to make sure we defeat this administration."

The main speaker for those supporting the measure was William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration. He traveled from Raleigh, N.C., to witness the vote.

"Waukegan has become a central battle against illegal immigration," Gheen said. "We don't want to see Waukegan backing down to mob rule."
 
 

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