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Jul 15, 2007 10:12 pm US/Central
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Activists Fight City Council Over Immigration Law
Immigration Groups Try To Prevent Waukegan From Giving Police Power To Enforce Immigration Law
by Katie McCall
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) ―
Thousands of people are expected to converge on the Waukegan City Council Monday. They're fighting efforts to give police more control over immigration law enforcement. CBS 2's North Suburban Bureau Chief Katie McCall reports on activists actions on Sunday.
Volunteers with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) spent the day going door to door in Waukegan collecting signatures. The organization reports 2,500 people signed a petition to try to prevent the city from applying for a federal program that would give police the power to enforce immigration law.
"It's not good for the community because documented or undocumented people will be scared to report crime," said Ricardo Rosas, a member of ICIRR.
Several local businesses have posted signs showing their opposition to the program known as 287g. It would allow police to begin deportation proceedings for criminals who reside here illegally.
Opponents say it will result in racial profiling and the harassment of immigrants who are not committing crimes.
"287 g I think is very wrong," said Tina Rangel, a Waukegan resident. "It's going to be, they're going to be taking it the wrong way, a lot of people."
Police and their supporters say it will get dangerous offenders off the streets and out of the country.
"It's designed to, it's meant to deal with serious criminal violations, felonies," said Waukegan Police Chief Bill Biang.
"Even illegal aliens who are not committing other crimes ought to like this because surely they don't want to support child molesters, felons, drug dealers, murderers, and rapists," said William Gheen of Americans for Legal Immigration.
Thousands are expected to descend on city hall Monday, when the council will vote on a motion to reconsider applying for the program.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) is among dozens of groups planning to protest. The city is issuing 175 tickets required for admission--something says may not be legal.
"Meetings of public officials and public bodies have to be open and they have to be convenient to the members of the public," said Ricardo Meza, an attorney for MALDEF.
People who want tickets have to go to South Beach in Waukegan at 4 p.m. Monday. Police have planned a huge presence there and at city hall.
Waukegan City Council previously voted 7-2 in favor of this program. But one alderman's motion to reconsider is up for a vote Monday.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)