Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy Upheld in Los Angeles
| By Elliott D. Petty - Jun 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pm PDT |
| Also listed in: Courage Campaign Staff |
A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge squashed a lawsuit today intended to legally force the City of Los Angeles to end its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" LAPD-immigration policy best known as Special Order 40. This executive order prevents LAPD officers from questioning detained suspects about their immigration status. The common sense policy which encourages undocumented immigrants to report crimes without fear has been controversial since it was passed in 1979 by the Los Angeles City Council with the backing of even more controversial, former police chief Darryl Gates.
In 2006, Los Angeles resident Harold Sturgeon filed suit against the city adequately labeling Special Order 40, "essentially a 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy regarding illegal aliens," according to the LA Times.
The Times goes on to briefly explain Sturgeon's legal argument: the policy restricts the LAPD's ability to share information with federal immigration officials.
The judge did not buy it, ruling that the Sturgeon failed to prove the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" immigration policy conflicted with federal laws that dictate the flow of information between local and federal agencies regarding an individual's immigration status.
This is good news. LAPD's role is to protect and serve, enforce the law of the city, state and U.S. Constitution, that's the oath each officer gives. And the U.S. Constitution is very clear, the federal government is the sole enforcer of immigration and customs laws.
In 2006, Los Angeles resident Harold Sturgeon filed suit against the city adequately labeling Special Order 40, "essentially a 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy regarding illegal aliens," according to the LA Times.
The Times goes on to briefly explain Sturgeon's legal argument: the policy restricts the LAPD's ability to share information with federal immigration officials.
The judge did not buy it, ruling that the Sturgeon failed to prove the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" immigration policy conflicted with federal laws that dictate the flow of information between local and federal agencies regarding an individual's immigration status.
This is good news. LAPD's role is to protect and serve, enforce the law of the city, state and U.S. Constitution, that's the oath each officer gives. And the U.S. Constitution is very clear, the federal government is the sole enforcer of immigration and customs laws.
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