Comments on: Austin, Texas: Former Sanctuary City?

By: A Town Divided Over immigration

A Town Divided Over immigration — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:10:38 +0000

It’s been nearly a year since Culpeper Town Councilman Steve Jenkins started crusading for a crackdown on illegal immigrants, the landlords who house them and the businesses that hire them.
Jenkins, a former police officer who was elected to the council last year, says he has led the push to rein in illegal immigration at the local level because the federal government wasn’t taking the lead. He also speaks of his roots in the community, which go back 300 years.

By: Joe B.

Joe B. — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:06:14 +0000

Giving some thought to moving to Austin, but wondering if they are tightening up on illegals.
Somehow, havens for illegals don’t exactly make me want to invest.

Lots of foreclosures in your fair city.

By: masstexodus

masstexodus — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:03:21 +0000

Travis county and the city of Austin are different government entities each with their own law enforcement agencies. I believe the city police still turn a blind eye to immigration status/deportation order issues.

By: daleyrocks

daleyrocks — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:54:07 +0000

It’s not “aggressively ignorant” to probe whether Austin’s sanctuary city designation – which we subsequently learned came from the Congressional Research Service – was well grounded.

Only one person on the thread was concerned with the designation and definition as opposed to the meat of the story. Who is this “we” kemosabe?

By: JD

JD — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:51:33 +0000

APD spokeswoman Toni Chovanetz said the [police] department isn’t “concerned with whether you’re in the country legally or illegally,”

That pretty much sums it up.

“safe zone” ordinance probably encouraged lax reporting

You don’t say. You could knock me over with a feather.

Willfully obtuse it is then. Thanks for clearing that up.

By: Patterico

Patterico — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:57:25 +0000

There are no former Texans, Steve. Once a Texan, always a Texan … and it certainly entitles you to use the term ya’ll.

I just caught myself saying “y’all” in a jury trial. It seemed natural to me, but I thought the judge shot me a funny look.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:45:19 +0000

Thanks, JD. It’s not “aggressively ignorant” to probe whether Austin’s sanctuary city designation – which we subsequently learned came from the Congressional Research Service – was well grounded.

The sheriff manages *all* detention facilities, as DRJ points out. The question arises, does APD really need to task arresting officers with assessing immigration status, given the above? They didn’t before, and I suggest they will not begin now with ICE manning a 24/7 desk.

I afree that the “safe zone” ordinance probably encouraged lax reporting. Sheriff Hamilton’s actions are well advised.

By: daleyrocks

daleyrocks — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:44:21 +0000

JD – steve tried to shift the discussion to cities that were not the subject of the post. He tried argue that material was not in a linked article that was. Then he argued definitions. It was just not good faith participation on his part, but we have seen that before, most recently on the Lancet thread I believe.

In a way he acts like a truther with these arguments, e.g., that doesn’t mean it couldn’t have happened.

The brick wall analogy is fine. It’s also nice to have DRJ’s participation.

By: chas

chas — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:41:48 +0000

DRJ

I used to enjoy Austin like it was nobody’s business. Austin is responsible for me getting a 6 year degree from SWTSU. Now its just a traffic jam on the way to New Braunfels.

By: DRJ

DRJ — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:34:02 +0000

1,002 blinks per Malkin.