Soto Urges Anaheim to Restore the Trust of Latino Residents

Flanked by members of his largely immigrant and Spanish-speaking parish, Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto called on Anaheim officials and police Wednesday to repair a relationship that he said is “fraught with tension, distrust and adversarial spirit.”

Latino leaders and immigrant advocates in Anaheim have been speaking out for more than a year, holding news conferences and City Hall protests to criticize tension between police and Latinos.

Their most pressing concern has been a program that stations a federal immigration agent at the city jail--a program that activists say has resulted in the deportation of illegal immigrants after minor crimes and traffic violations.

In many cases, illegal immigrants were jailed when they could not present a valid form of identification or a driver’s license. INS agents determined residency status while the suspects were in jail.

On Wednesday, Soto, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, said police relations have slipped so far that some of his parishioners are afraid to report crimes or seek help from law enforcement.

“When a program is undermining the central trust people need to have in police, then we create an equally dangerous situation,” Soto said.

Soto will ask Anaheim council members to meet individually with residents.

“The immigrant community feels out of touch with the City Council,” Soto said.

Anaheim police and Mayor Tom Daly, who have both met with church officials and attended community meetings, referred calls to city spokesman John Nicoletti.

The city has repeatedly stated that the INS presence--though supported by Anaheim leaders--is a federal issue. INS agents are also stationed at the Costa Mesa and Fullerton jails and Orange County Jail, though those places have not been targeted by protesters.

“We’re a little confused,” Nicoletti said. “We don’t understand why Auxiliary Bishop Soto has chosen Anaheim. The INS deports people. The city of Anaheim is not in the business of certifying citizenship.”

Nicoletti said the city is disappointed that Soto and the Orange County Congregation Community Organization, which represents 12 churches in the county, are misleading their members.

He cited several efforts by the city to meet with Latino and church leaders, as well as a decision last fall by Orange County law enforcement agencies to accept Mexican identification cards.

That decision means that people stopped for minor infractions would no longer be taken to jail for lack of an ID. So far, though, many illegal immigrants are still in the process of obtaining the ID.

Despite Soto’s concerns, Nicoletti said the program has appeared effective. Since 1995, when the INS partnership began, crime in Anaheim has dropped 36%. Since 1998, illegal immigrants have been arrested for 60 rapes and sexual assaults, 384 domestic violence cases, 542 burglaries and auto thefts, 531 drunken driving cases, and 849 drug cases.

“Law-abiding residents are not being deported, and quite frankly we’re offended at the accusations,” Nicoletti said.

INS spokeswoman Virginia Kice said the immigration agents have a federal mandate to remain at the jail.

“Legislation passed by Congress requires us to have a presence at county and local jails,” she said.

At Wednesday’s press conference, many community members complained that acceptance of the Mexican ID card is not enough to overcome distrust of police.

Several people said they drive illegally because they cannot obtain a driver’s license under federal law. Driving without a license is considered serious enough to jail a violator with or without identification.

Guadalupe Millan said one of her relatives was deported last fall after he failed to stop before making a right turn. He was driving without a license, taken to the Anaheim jail and ultimately deported, she said.

“Now every time I see a cop, I’m nervous,” said Tomas Robledo, 32, whose license expired but cannot be renewed without a Social Security card.

“I think they’re going to stop me and take me back. We need driver’s licenses to work. I don’t want the government’s money. I can make my own. Just give me a chance.”