2008 Woodie Awards
Sheriff's illegal immigrant policies must be revamped
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Editorials
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones sent a letter to Ohio lawmakers Nov. 6 requesting that the legislature tackle the issue of illegal immigration in the state of Ohio. Jones has long been a critic of the country's immigration policies, going so far as to bill the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) more than $71,000 for detainment of illegal aliens. While the issue of illegal immigration is a pressing issue facing this nation, Sheriff Jones' approach and colorful style is alienating many people in the community and distracting numerous people from the real issue of illegal immigration.
Over the summer, the U.S. Congress failed to reach a compromise on legislation dealing with illegal immigration. This lack of leadership from Washington, D.C. has left the rest of the country in an untenable position-enforce existing immigration laws with thousands of illegal immigration already living in this country. Political posturing and electoral politics are preventing immigration reform from both sides of the debate. Undeniably, current immigration laws need drastic reform and Sheriff Jones is right to highlight that important fact.
Jones' tactics, however, leave many throughout Butler County feeling as though they are being unfairly targeted. Members of the local Hispanic community have criticized Sheriff Jones for incessantly targeting Hispanics and, more specifically, Mexicans. This constant targeting is interpreted by some as a form of racial profiling and leaves many to distrust the local sheriff's department, an unfortunate development for everyone involved. While garnering publicity and media attention, Sheriff Jones is creating unnecessary controversy and offending a significant portion of his constituents.
Jones cannot solve illegal immigration on his own. It takes the leadership of the federal government to enact meaningful reform that deals with all aspects of the problem and solves them permanently. It is constructive and positive to see Jones sending letters to elected leaders stressing immigration reform, even if on the state level. Jones does nothing constructive, however, when he solely targets Hispanics and Mexicans or posts large signs out in front of his jail broadcasting the presence of illegal immigrants. Jones' showboating may attract the attention of cable news channels and newspapers but sadly, it does nothing to solve the critical problem of illegal immigration in this country. If Sheriff wants to truly tackle the problem, he would lobby political leaders more often and spend less time making billboards threatening local businesses and community members. Leadership is lacking on the issue and unfortunately Sheriff Jones seems unable to provide a strong example of it, even at a local level in Butler County.
Over the summer, the U.S. Congress failed to reach a compromise on legislation dealing with illegal immigration. This lack of leadership from Washington, D.C. has left the rest of the country in an untenable position-enforce existing immigration laws with thousands of illegal immigration already living in this country. Political posturing and electoral politics are preventing immigration reform from both sides of the debate. Undeniably, current immigration laws need drastic reform and Sheriff Jones is right to highlight that important fact.
Jones' tactics, however, leave many throughout Butler County feeling as though they are being unfairly targeted. Members of the local Hispanic community have criticized Sheriff Jones for incessantly targeting Hispanics and, more specifically, Mexicans. This constant targeting is interpreted by some as a form of racial profiling and leaves many to distrust the local sheriff's department, an unfortunate development for everyone involved. While garnering publicity and media attention, Sheriff Jones is creating unnecessary controversy and offending a significant portion of his constituents.
Jones cannot solve illegal immigration on his own. It takes the leadership of the federal government to enact meaningful reform that deals with all aspects of the problem and solves them permanently. It is constructive and positive to see Jones sending letters to elected leaders stressing immigration reform, even if on the state level. Jones does nothing constructive, however, when he solely targets Hispanics and Mexicans or posts large signs out in front of his jail broadcasting the presence of illegal immigrants. Jones' showboating may attract the attention of cable news channels and newspapers but sadly, it does nothing to solve the critical problem of illegal immigration in this country. If Sheriff wants to truly tackle the problem, he would lobby political leaders more often and spend less time making billboards threatening local businesses and community members. Leadership is lacking on the issue and unfortunately Sheriff Jones seems unable to provide a strong example of it, even at a local level in Butler County.
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