Philadelphia to bar immigration agents from arrest data

[Ed Barrow]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer


Philadelphia is expected to end the arrangement that permits federal immigration agents to scrutinize the city's computerized list of arrests, including country of origin and other data, Everett Gillison, the deputy mayor for public safety, said Sunday.

Immigrant advocates say the year-old agreement between the city and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement service, known as ICE, has resulted in deportation proceedings against immigrants arrested on even minor charges. Under the agreement, ICE agents can routinely access the city's Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System (PARS). That agreement is up for renewal on Thursday.

"It is the mayor's view that the PARS agreement should not be extended," Gillison said, speaking at a South Philadelphia church meeting attended by more than 300 immigrants and their supporters.

He said there would be a formal announcement of the city's position in the coming week, probably on Friday.


Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20100628_Philadelphia_to_bar_immigration_agents_from_arrest_data.html

[GlennWRECK]

1. Is this even possible?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are state governments EVER allowed to override federal workers?
Doesn't seem right...

[Tempest]

4. It's a city government database

There is no legal obligation to share the data with the federal government.

[anigbrowl]

6. Yes. These programs are a voluntary arrangement with DHS/ICE

If the federal officials want access to that data and it's not offered voluntarily they'd need to go through the process of issuing a subpoena (I'm oversimplifying a little for brevity).

The way the law works, a federal authority has to say 'please share information you might have about John Doe,' but they can't ask them 'what's new?' without any specific target as that would exceed the scope of the federal police powers.

[SunnySong]

2. So the good citizens of philadelphia can continue to exploit undocumented labor?

Good forbid we take the servants and nannies away from the rich.

[uberblonde]

5. If you clicked on the link...

And read the entire article, you might learn something. Just sayin'!

[pinboy3niner]

3. "The City of Brotherly Love." nt