Saturday, November 14, 2009

When Vigilantes Rule

This article about the Frederick county, Maryland, police arrest of a woman (apparently because she "looked illegal" highlights one of the dangers of the 287(g) programs, which enlist local law enforcement to take on the responsibilities of apprehending people who may be in the country illegally.

The problem with the program, as demonstrated here, is that police may be tempted to start picking up unsuspecting Latinos simply because the "look illegal."

Thankfully for Roxana Orellana Santos, the woman recently apprehended in Frederick County, there are Civil Rights laws that prevent this type of profiling. Sadly, Frederick County may have to pay the price, and a hefty one at that, for their indiscretion.

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