Illegal Immigration: Results, Not Rhetoric

 by District 4 Councilmember Kyle Jones

Controversial topics have a tendency to evoke emotional responses. Unfortunately, some individuals jump to conclusions without taking the time to seek out and fully evaluate complete facts. Recently, there have been a number of emails and public statements regarding the Mesa Police Department (MPD) and Chief Gascón in relation to illegal immigrants. Specifically, charges of a "sanctuary" policy and claims that Chief Gascón and Mesa police officers are doing nothing to address illegal immigration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Even though they have been publicly presented, there are a number of facts that are getting overlooked or ignored. More than a year ago, Chief Gascón was hired to revitalize a police department that was in need of a boost. With limited resources and a police force far below the national average of officers per thousand residents, Chief Gascón has successfully stepped up accountability - resulting in greater public safety for Mesa residents. More specifically, Part 1 crimes have been reduced, while Part 1 crime arrests have increased by 18 percent. We are getting more bad guys off the streets.

When it comes to dealing with illegal immigrants, we have dramatically increased our interaction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We have MPD personnel currently assigned to the ICE agency. ICE agents participated in MPD’s "Black Autumn" gang suppression project. Of the 85 gang members arrested, seven were undocumented foreign nationals. MPD assisted ICE in "Operation Coyote Inn" that resulted in 13 Mesa motel owners being arrested and convicted of knowingly harboring undocumented foreign nationals. We have also raided over 25 drop houses.

Since September of 2006, ICE has responded 116 times to MPD initiated incidents including drop houses, gang activity and Part 1 crime arrests. More than 500 undocumented foreign nationals have been turned over to ICE for processing. This clearly shows a commitment to go after illegal immigrants who choose to commit crimes in our community. Regardless of what the critics claim, anyone who is arrested in Mesa will have their legal status verified. We are currently seeking 287(g) training for detention officers in Mesa that will speed up the identifying and processing of illegal immigrants in the jail system.

As a councilmember and resident of Mesa, I choose to evaluate our police chief and his department based on results, not rhetoric.