AFS Cinema
Sheriff Does Not Deserve a 'Best of Austin'
RECEIVED Mon., Oct. 20, 2008
Dear Editor,
Re: Best Law-Abiding Law Enforcers [“Best of Austin,” Oct. 17]: Although I applaud Sheriff Greg Hamilton's decision to implement the citation option, the sheriff still collaborates with Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the jail, which undermines trust between local law enforcement and the immigrant community, divides families, causes racial profiling of those suspected to be foreign born, opens the door to violations of the constitutional right to due process, and increases fiscal costs to Travis County.
Even after public pressure and community dialogue, the sheriff refuses to identify these concerns as real problems and is unwilling to change his relationship with ICE. He does not deserve a "Best of Austin" award.
Re: Best Law-Abiding Law Enforcers [“Best of Austin,” Oct. 17]: Although I applaud Sheriff Greg Hamilton's decision to implement the citation option, the sheriff still collaborates with Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the jail, which undermines trust between local law enforcement and the immigrant community, divides families, causes racial profiling of those suspected to be foreign born, opens the door to violations of the constitutional right to due process, and increases fiscal costs to Travis County.
Even after public pressure and community dialogue, the sheriff refuses to identify these concerns as real problems and is unwilling to change his relationship with ICE. He does not deserve a "Best of Austin" award.
Caroline Keating-Guerra
