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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment Period - BOCCPublic Comment Period April 1, 2019 10:30 a.m. In Attendance: Tom Taylor, Chair Cindy Carter, Vice -Chair Richard Stevens, Member Barbara J. Vasquez, Clerk of the Board Public: See sign in sheet 10:32 a.m. Commissioner Taylor opened the public comment. Phil Anderson came into discuss I-1639 and wondered about the status of the resolution that was brought in two weeks ago, supporting the 2nd amendment and constitution. Commissioner Taylor stated its been forwarded to the Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for review. Kevin McCrae stated he has not seen it yet. Commissioner Taylor stated there is no timeframe to give on the review. 10:35 a.m. Commissioner Taylor opened the discussion on immigtiona, customs and enforcement issues on Grant County property. After discussion with the Sheriff's Office, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Border Patrol and Customs, he stated that those agencies are in compliance within their authority. They are prohibited from trespassing them from the County property. Public comment will be limited to two (2) minutes. 10:36 Monserrat Padilla, coordinator of the Washington Immigrants Solidarity Network. They are a statewide network who aids when immigration and enforcement tears a family apart. What they have been hearing through their hotline is that numerous people who are being taken into custody for the smallest infraction. They have been receiving calls about the Grant County Courthouse, people have been taken from this courthouse after paying parking tickets and other traffic infractions, to being afraid to testify as a witness. People are afraid to call for a protection order and who are victims of domestic violence for fear of being ripped apart from their families. 10:38 a.m. Brenda Rodriguez, Eastside Coordinator for WA Immigrants Solidarity Network. They have been getting an increase in the amount of calls about Grant County and how Immigration Custom and Enforcement (ICE) and Custom Border Patrol (CBP) have been conducting arrests outside of the courthouse. Agents show up to court, not wearing uniforms or badges and when people with Latino sounding names exit the courthouse, agents follow them outside and ask for documentation to prove their immigration status. If they cannot provide documentation, they are transported to the Spokane County jail. 10:40 a.m. Abigail Scholar, Executive Director of Central Washington Justice for our Neighbors, stated there is collusion between local police, Sheriff Office, ICE and CBP. She stated this issue is the Commissioners to manage. People should be able to come to the courthouse for due process. 10:42 a.m. Ken Chadwick, Attorney from Schulteis, Tabler and Wallace, stated the issue is access to justice and court. If the Federal Government has probable cause, they do not need a warrant. 10:44 a.m. Grant Reichert, Northwest Immigrants' Rights Project, Wenatchee, provides legal services to immigrants. The path to citizenship does sometime lead to the state/county courthouses. 10:46 a.m. Ronaldo Delgado, Delgado Law Firm, gave information contrary to what the Commissioners have been told. He stated there is a 100 air mile radius from an external boundary of the United States, that ICE/CBP cannot come here and arrest people because of the boundary. Domestic violence victims are afraid to come to courthouse. Referenced US Code: 8USC Section 1357 (a) 3. 10:50 a.m. Maria Vega, Attorney who represents domestic violence victims. Access to courts is important! She gave an example of a 9 year old who was a victim of sexual assault and her mother wants to get a protection order but is afraid to come to the courthouse. 10:52 a.m. Jim Vassen (?) Spokane Immigrants' Rights Coalition, stated local governments are doing federal work. Local government employees should be doing their local jobs only. Their job is not to be sharing information with the federal government. 10:54 a.m. Reverend Keith Madsen, lives in Wenatchee, stated that within the Constitution and within Biblical principal, we are to love our neighbor like ourselves. 10:55 a.m. Gabriella Lomaley (?) from Yakima, speaking today for those who could not attend today who are afraid to go to doctor's appointments, to the grocery store, afraid they are going to get stopped and have to come to the Courthouse to pay a traffic ticket. People are not wanting to drive anymore because of this. 10:57 Jose Gonzales, Royal City, is an educated gentleman having graduated from Royal High School and went to college but renewal of immigration status was denied and he had to go back and work in the fields. He continues to work on getting his positive immigration status. Commissioner Taylor closed the public comment period as there is a meeting at 11:00 a.m. He invited everyone to come back next Monday to that public comment period. The Commissioners will continue to work with local law enforcement and Prosecuting Attorney's Office to find out the correct laws. He thanks everyone for attending today. Commissioner Carter stated she is available now through noon and is willing to move to another room to continue this discussion. The group was moved to the Multi-purpose room.