The sheriff’s department in Panama City Beach, Florida, has developed a remarkably effective way of catching illegal immigrants: Deputies in patrol cars swarm upon construction sites and see who runs. The workers who flee are chased down by the deputies and arrested for trespassing, cutting through other’s property or hiding in someone’s yard, loitering or reckless driving. After they’re picked-up, the names of those whom the sheriff’s office suspects of being in the country illegally are given to U.S. immigration authorities.
Sheriff Frank McKeithen, who created his Illegal Alien Task Force, said, “It’s not wrong for them to run, but it’s not wrong for us to chase them either.”
Of course, the ACLU and other (illegal) immigrant advocate groups are apalled by the Sheriff’s tactic. The ACLU even says the program is constitutionally questionsble. (meaning: lawsuit is forthcoming).
(doesn’t one have to be a citizen to have constitutional rights?)
Still, the illegals aren’t happy and are leaving town (hello neighboring law enforement officials). Builders are worried they won’t have the (cheap) labor they need to capitalize on the construction boom going on in the area. (too bad!)
Why doesn’t anyone decry the builders who pay these illegals next to nothing (usually in cash: IRS?) and reap windfall profits on these beach condos???
My hats off to the Panama City Beach Sheriff’s Office! Keep it up!!
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