‘Sweep Leaves Dirt’: Santa Ana’s Decision on Illegal Aliens

It is disconcerting, to say the least, to see The Times endorse as “enlightened, realistic and professionally responsible action” for law enforcement officials to ignore a certain criminal element in their communities (“A Sweep Leaves Dirt,” Jan. 30).

But that is exactly what you do in lauding the Santa Ana Police Department decision to ignore the illegal aliens in its community. (I must assume you include the Anaheim Police Department too, since it recently took a similar stance.)

What makes this so hard to comprehend is that the Santa Ana Police Department in November reported a record number of homicides (35 at that time, involving mostly illegal aliens). A study by the Santa Ana Police Department showed that 70% of the victims were male illegal aliens, and about half of the identified suspects also were illegal aliens.

To exacerbate the problem, most of the suspects escaped by returning to Mexico.

On the basis of this information, it is easy to recognize that Santa Ana has a severe crime problem that can be attributed to illegal aliens as both victims and perpetrators.

I believe that research would also reveal that nearby Anaheim is experiencing the same scenario because it too has a large illegal alien population and a worsening crime problem.

In advocating that other police departments adopt a similar policy, you come to some arguable conclusions that immigration sweeps are disruptive to communities and that they are wasteful and worthless.

First, if immigration sweeps were to assist Santa Ana in reducing its homicide rate, that fact should be of some redeeming value to the community.

Second, one really wonders how much credence should be given to the buzz phrases about “disrupting communities” and “citizen support for police” being affected. Usually, the clamor comes from a small but highly vocal group that has an ax to grind, and the “communities” by and large go on about their daily business.

Similar allegations are always made against local police when they make forays into neighborhoods looking for suspects, a situation that draws considerable attention. In reality, the vast majority of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents support tighter enforcement of the immigration laws.

Interior enforcement is a vital part of the Immigration and Naturalization Service mandate from the Congress (and the citizenry) not only to try to keep in check this gigantic illegal flow of people who threaten our economic existence, but also to ensure that jobs will be available to citizens and lawful residents.

The ultimate answer, of course, is immigration law reform that would make it unlawful for employers to knowingly hire illegal aliens.

In summation, a better spirit of cooperation is needed among all law enforcement agencies if we are to stop the flow of illegal aliens as well as the alarming increase in homicide and other crime rates.

HAROLD W. EZELL

Regional Commissioner

U.S. Department of Justice

Immigration and Naturalization

Service

Western Region