Harris County used to be the deportation capital of the United States.
I spent 45 days in the Harris County jail for a crime I did not commit because I am undocumented. And because the jail works with federal immigration officials, I spent one week in solitary confinement because I am gay. But I am just one of thousands unjustly detained as a result of Harris County Sheriff Office’s partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287g program, a federal program that gives local jail officials authority to enforce federal immigration laws, and does so at local taxpayers’ expense.
My nightmare in local and federal jail began in October 2011, when I was driving home from work and was stopped by a Houston Police Department officer for passing a yellow light. The officer asked me if I was from the United States and I honestly replied, “No.” The officer then laughed and said, “I knew it.” I can only infer that I was profiled because of my accent.
I was taken into custody and charged, without cause, with driving under the influence. Upon arriving at the city jail, my blood was drawn and I was transported to the Harris County Jail. At the jail, I ended up in the hands of Harris County deputies acting as immigration officers under the 287g program.
Harris County has a long history of working with ICE. The 287g program started in 2008 with Sheriff Tommy Thomas and was renewed by former Sheriff Adrian Garcia. Today, as a result of the 287g program, Harris County deports more people than any other county in the country.
During an administration that has deported more people than any before it, the county’s continued voluntary hand in deportations further isolates the immigrant community – a community that amounts to nearly one-quarter of Houston residents. This agreement also costs Harris County taxpayers approximately $1.1 million per year. Source
Adrian Garcia, presently a County Commissioner, was the sheriff; he defended the deportations. What can I say? Adrian Garcia keeps getting elected. I don’t think the progressives give a hoot about the undocumented. They talk the talk but won’t walk the walk. It was hard to find “Progressives” standing up for the undocumented.
Adrian Garcia defending deportations.
“People are getting deported for even minor offenses like not having an ID or a driver’s license,” said Cesar Espinosa of America for All, a group that helps immigrants in Houston.
But what constitutes a minor offense is a matter of debate.
Sheriff Adrian Garcia of Harris County says he regards most of the people tagged for deportation as criminals, including those arrested for drunken driving and drug possession. Fewer than one in 10 have been charged with traffic offenses and other “Class C” misdemeanors under state law, Sheriff Garcia noted.
“We are taking people off the streets of Houston, off the streets of Harris County, who have indicated they are not interested in following the rules around here,” he said. Source
Adrian Garcia was not the only elected Democrat to not give a hoot about the undocumented. The Chair of the Democratic Party (Lane Lewis) in Harris County locked the doors and refused to meet with advocates of DREAMERS.
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