Illegal immigrants could be targeted by Mesa

Mesa is considering joining the ranks of cities along the U.S.-Mexico border that have taken up a local battle against illegal immigration.

City leaders say they have no other choice but to act on their own because state and federal lawmakers have failed so far to develop a comprehensive strategy to address what many believe to be a growing problem in Arizona and other border states.

“I think the level of frustration is to the point where we feel we have to do something,” said City Councilman Kyle Jones.

The City Council will meet Thursday to discuss ramping up ordinances to combat illegal immigration, including new anti-loitering laws, sanctions against those who hire or rent living space to undocumented immigrants and a training program that would allow police officers to act as immigration officials. Council members say they’ve been talking about doing so for several years.

Hispanic leaders and activists across the East Valley say they plan to attend. Some have already raised concerns.

“The immigrants are a part of our community,” said Lupe Barraza, a Mesa resident and member of the Valley Interfaith Project. “I understand that they are trying to round them up and get them out of here, but I really don’t agree with that.”

Mesa’s discussion of immi- gration policy comes at a time when Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, faces sharp criticism for voicing his support for a 1950s deportation program, “Operation Wetback,” last week on a local radio station.

Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker, a Republican, defended the controversial lawmaker, even though other Republicans have tried to distance themselves from Pearce’s comments.

“I think that it’s an easy tag to put on someone — a racist label,” Hawker said. “If they are illegal, they are illegal.”

The controversy underscores what could be a barrier for city-backed measures to fight illegal immigration. Hispanic activists, city elected officials and even new Mesa police Chief George Gascón say problems could arise if the city goes forward with the new ordinances.

Gascón said that a shortstaffed police department should not be distracted by whether the people committing the crimes are here illegally.

“I think that we have to be really thoughtful about it and really clear in our obligation to deal with people that are committing serious crimes,” he said.

Council members said the city must act cautiously to avoid unwanted legal consequences. Anti-loitering laws, for instance, could be challenged in court and lead to lawsuits.

Councilman Mike Whalen said turning the city’s police officers into immigration officials could cause a different set of problems. If residents fear the police, they’ll be less likely to report crimes.

“Would you call the police department if you were undocumented?” Whalen asked. “When you knew that they could deport you? No, you wouldn’t.”

Still, some law enforcement agencies have used local ordinances to stem the flow of illegal immigrants in their communities. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has used Arizona’s antihuman smuggling law to arrest people sneaking across the border. In Southern California, the city of Costa Mesa and the Orange County Sheriff Department also have taken steps to train officers to enforce immigration laws.

Councilman Rex Griswold said he’s not sure Mesa should do the same.

“It’s a huge frustration,” he said. “We have all the responsibility, all the expense and none of the tools to fix them.”