Ultimately, we think that independent civilian oversight with subpoena power is a crucial part of the systemic changes necessary to protect the rights of incarcerated people,’
LA Protest Against Israel’s War on Civilians in Gaza
By
As the aerial bombardment of Gaza’s homes, markets, hospitals, schools and more continues–and with the potential invasion of Israeli ground troops–join us for an emergency action to demand an immediate end to the attacks and ending all U.S. aid to Israel.
Coalition Pushes LA’s DA Candidates On Mass Incarceration Issues
By
Peter Laarman: With Public Safety Realignment now underway, the DA’s role becomes even more pivotal. What our chief prosecutor believes and does has a huge impact on incarceration levels.
Community-Based Solutions: No Prisons No Jails — June 23
By
Come to a community meeting Saturday, June23, that confronts the financial choices that LA and California’s politicians are making to invest our resources in policing and imprisonment, rather than the services we need.
A Dialogue Concerning Advocacy and Criminality
By
Jonathan Farley: Why do campaigning organisations like the NAACP defend plain thugs but ignore genuine radicals?
More States Disapprove ICE’s Secure Communities Program
By
Michele Waslin: The program, which shares the fingerprints of individuals booked into jails with federal immigration databases, has been widely criticized for failing to target serious criminals, for increasing the potential for racial profiling, and for failing to be transparent.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren Demands Investigation into ICE’s Secure Communities Program
By
Seth Hoy: This week, Rep. Lofgren called for an investigation into the actions of federal immigration officials whom she said lied about whether states and localities had the right to opt-out of the program.
Concerning Advocacy and Criminality
By
Jonathan Farley: Why do campaigning organizations like the NAACP defend plain thugs but ignore genuine radicals?
Counties Say No to ICE’s Secure Communities Program; Is Opting Out Possible?
By
Michele Waslin: The Santa Clara and Arlington County votes come after questions and confusion regarding local jurisdictions’ ability to opt-out of the program.
Arizona Legislator on Difference Between Her and Jan Brewer: ‘I Believe In The Facts’
By
Andrea Nill: Brewer has also defended her decision to sign off on SB-1070 by stating that Arizona is “under siege” by Mexican drug cartels and undocumented immigrants and has repeatedly slammed the federal government for not securing the border.
Is Opting Out of the Secure Communities Program an Option?
By
Michele Waslin: Given ICE’s stated intention to eventually install the system in all state and local detention facilities nationwide, and given the fact that DHS signs MOAs with the states, it is unclear how those local jurisdictions that want to opt out will be able to do so. Thus Secure Communities raises serious questions about the relationship between federal and local law-enforcement agencies, and about a local community’s ability to weigh in on important decisions affecting the entire community.
ICE Slip Up Casts Serious Doubt on Immigration Enforcement Strategy
By
Michele Waslin: Until we have comprehensive immigration reform, ICE is going to be saddled with an enormous list of targets, and many people watching to see how they’re going to tackle it. If they want big numbers, they can achieve big numbers. But that won’t make us any safer or make the system any better. In any case the Administration and ICE have to figure out what their enforcement strategy is, articulate it clearly and consistently, and resist the urge to change it on a dime to please “enforcement-only” types who will never support comprehensive reform.
The Criminal Alien Program: Big, Old, and Misunderstood
By
Michele Waslin: Of course, identifying and removing dangerous criminal threats must be a priority for ICE. However, time and time again data show that their methods for prioritizing these individuals are flawed and have negative consequences for noncriminals who get caught in the system.
Is Secure Communities Making our Communities Secure?
By
A new IPC report, The Secure Communities Program: Unanswered Questions and Continuing Concerns, released today highlights early evidence from Secure Communities—and experience with other ICE programs—that suggests this new program may not be living up to its name and may not be effectively making our communities more safe.
Does ICE’s Criminal Alien Program (CAP) Target Serious Criminals?
By
While ICE claims they are targeting serious criminals, the majority of persons ICE identifies and deports do not actually have any serious criminal records.
Should We Judge the Judges?
By
On Tuesday, June 3rd, Californians will go to the polls. Many will struggle over which candidates to select for the Superior Court Judge offices. Two weeks ago, I posted an article, “Judging the Judges.” In it, I said I’d get back to you before June 3rd.
PCL offers monthly Open House Events on the 2nd Saturday at 2pm and 3rd Thursday at 6pm. Click here to learn more.
Recent Comments