ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITY
Immigration up for discussion all week at College of Lake County
Here are details on the conference from the Daily Herald.
Groups favoring stricter enforcement of immigration laws converged Saturday for a conference at the College of Lake County and urged participation today in a Waukegan shopping spree involving only businesses that concur with that stance.
Representatives from other sides of the immigration debate will unite Monday at the college for a four-day session that tackles the emotionally charged issue by way of panel discussions, films and more.
The events come as Lake County settles into the immigration spotlight: On Monday, Waukegan’s city council will reconsider participation in a program that allows police officers to identify, process and detain immigration offenders they encounter in day-to-day enforcement.
The council had voted to seek federal permission to join that initiative. That vote tore the city apart.
William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, will be on hand for the discussion. On Saturday, he spoke during the Conference on Immigration at the Grayslake college.
He called that gathering a rally for those concerned with “the massive and rapidly growing presence of illegal immigrants in our country.”
Since the federal government is doing little to crack down on illegal immigration, Gheen said, his political action committee maintains local measures — like the 287(g) federal statute Waukegan is debating — are a solid start.
Proponents of 287(g) say it focuses on illegal immigrant felons and will help expedite the deportation process. They insist it will not become a series of sweeps and stings.
Critics fear giving police such authority ultimately could hamper the ability to do their job, making immigrants fearful to report a crime or be a witness, leading to racial profiling and hurting residents’ relationship with police.
“It turns community police officers into immigration officers,” said Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. A representative of his group will be at this week’s College of Lake County program for a panel discussion on immigration policy and enforcement.
The organization believes there are other options open to local police — like working with immigrants to teach them to be good citizens.
Carpentersville officials also have considered the 287(g) program. Hoyt predicts it could be an issue in more Chicago suburbs as they struggle to adjust to the reality of more immigrants.
Saturday’s conference was led by Fred Flannigan, a radio personality and Waukegan native. The four-day program this week will be geared to adults 50 and older.
Call (847) 543-6507 for more information.