Van Wirt said "the jeopardy of abuse is greater than the certainty of benefit." She added that, in some cities, police will hold undocumented immigrants who come forward with claims of human trafficking and turn them over to ICE. Kiera Wilhem said her concern can be summed up in one word - ICE.
Kott explained that a detective would be assigned to human trafficking on an as-needed basis. In the event of a child exploitation investigation, he or she would have county-wide jurisdiction. It would also enable federal charges against a trafficker. She added her department would be transparent and get out ahead of any concerns from undocumented immigrants who might hesitate to come forward. She added that Bethlehem police would refuse to engage in enforcement if immigration laws.
Grace Crampsie Smith, who voted for the proposed arrangement, said that DA Terry Houck assured her the program has nothing to do with immigration enforcement. It has everything to do with protecting women and children who are being exploited by predators. Also voting Yes were Michael Colon and Wandalyn Enix.
I find it sad that four elected female members would use fear of one dirty word - ICE - to vote against a program recommended by Bethlehem's police chief to protect exploited women and children.
Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a federal law passed in 2000, victims of human trafficking are entitled to powerful legal protections, including immigration-related benefits, after ICE has become aware of their presence in the United States.
38 comments:
The Democrat Party is all Zirinski women now.
R and D progressives get turned on by thinking about children being sexually abuses. The four who are aroused by this should be closely monitored. Crazy? Yeah, crazy. Think about it and don't exempt females from the sickness. Wirt is disgraceful and warrants watching, in my opinion. She needs a full background check. Creepy.
The two issues revolve around trust.
What happens when a new police chief or DA decides that hunting illegals is good politics for them?
Trusting ICE is asking a lot.
Rachel is hopelessly anti-cop. The three lily whiteys know that most of the kids they're sentencing to abuse and trafficking are dirty little brown ones. Whiteys gonna whitey - especially liberal whitey women, the most privileged and hateful group in society.
These people that voted against this are mentally ill. They have been brainwashed by the far left.
“ I find it sad that four elected female members would use fear of one dirty word - ICE - to vote against a program recommended by Bethlehem's police chief to protect exploited women and children.”
What does the gender of the council members have to do with anything?
Bernie, You really are an asshole. Republicans are the PRO POLICE party. Why don't you move to Chicago or LA or Baltimore or St Louis or New Orleans or...... You probably know the BIG GUY personally and have his direct cell number. Because the FBI and DOJ.... are so honest. Gun Control but free Hunter!!!!!
Asshole.
Bernie it's your blog, but jeez - "On a national level, Republicans hate law enforcement."
???????
I don't know a single Republican who hates law enforcement. What Republicans do hate (as well as right thinking Democrats) is the politicization of law enforcement. It's happened both ways and it's wrong and we should band together on a bipartisan basis to stop it.
On the topic at hand, what's happening in Bethlehem is wrong, same as Allentown.
This what happens when you let woke women run a city.
Julian Khater, A conservative neo-Nazi who pepper-sprayed Capitol Police officer Sicknick, disagrees with you…
"What does the gender of the council members have to do with anything?
'
These are women and mothers, and I would think they, better than men, would understand the exploitation of women and children. Gender has a lot to do with everything. There are differences between men and women, and trying to pretend there are not, or that one's gender plays no riolein that person's life, is dishonest.
"I don't know a single Republican who hates law enforcement."
I know of quite a few. They include Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, James Comer and Senator Charles Grassley. Several have spoken of disbanding the FBI. They claim it is politicized? Well that's exactly what many Dems think of local law enforcement. Both are wrong.
"The four who are aroused by this should be closely monitored. Crazy? Yeah, crazy."
You're right. You are cRaZy.
I don't think the FBI is much worse than when Hoover pranced around in ladies undergarments while spying on everybody without warrants. I think that FBI is still around and thinks little kids are sexy. Does that really shock anybody who knows the bureau's history? It shouldn't.
I rejected a comment from someone who apparently thinks the topic here is abortion.
12:33's comment illustrates perfectly what I said about the GOP view of law enforcement on a federal level. More and more, both parties are undermining our institutions.
Dont forget a woke Mayor
1:43, Reynolds supported this partnership.
Republicans don't hate law enforcement. Republicans hate federal agencies that exist and operate in violation of the 10th Amendment.
2:21, Perhaps you should take the time to read the 10th amendment. Its very first phrase of its very first sentence specifically concedes the immense powers "delegated to the United States by the Constitution ... ." In fact, that's the basic reason why we have the Constitution. The Articles of Confederation were unworkable. We need a strong central government to survive.
Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution specifically enumerates sweeping powers in the federal government, along with the power to "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers." These are implied powers, and they were used during Washington's presidency.
Your states' rights argument is nonsense. Of course the federal government has the authority to establish agencies that enforce federal law, especially federal criminal law against slavery. That, in the end, is what human traffickers do.
What are they scared of? These days ICE is nothing more than a welcoming committee for illegal aliens.
Hoover (federal level) was an R. Is being anti-Hoover the same as anti law enforcement? Of course not. When the going gets weird, Ds become pro-war and pro-FBI. Abby Hoffman where are you? I'm a cranky I. But I know in all my years that Ds are anti law enforcement and Rs generally like anybody with a badge, handcuffs, and wiretaps. I think most people accept this as true. The answers are in the middle; far away from the extremes. You get shot at from both sides, though. Lol.
" But I know in all my years that Ds are anti law enforcement and Rs generally like anybody with a badge, handcuffs, and wiretaps."
The GOP has changed dramatically since Trump became the LEADER of what has essentially morphed into a cult. The GOP is now very much anti law enforcement when it comes to the FBI, ATF and other agencies that enforce federal law. Its leaders, as I speak, are actively undermining public confidence in these institutions at a congressional hearing.
The Ds, in the wake of the George Floyd murder, did embark on a "defund the police" movement. Once there was a backlash, most backtracked except for extremists like Ce-Ce Gerlach and Joshua Siegel. They also undermine public confidence in the fairness of law enforcement.
Off topic. Where’s the post about Taiba on Facebook. Also waiting to hear your view on Lamont’s early announcement to run again.
The fbi and doj have undermined themselves Bernie. No republican wished this would happen. In fact we are appalled. Durham today confirmed this. Republicans support law enforcement. In topic- this group of no votes is a disgraceful vote to decline help in our area for human trafficking victims because of what they think of ICE. I agree as a woman they should first want to protect woman! This is what the democratic party is doing! Politics . Afraid of what they think will happen so let's just not help them!!
I suppose it won’t be long before these left wing nuts decide Bethlehem should be a safe zone for illegal immigrants?
This is bizarre that these council women do not want help to insure that we don’t become a safe zone for human traffickers. This is especially strange given the support of this from our female police chief & Marxist Mayor?
Hope they take a revote next meeting & one of them regains their sanity.
4:47, Yes you are off topic, and it's very rude to both my readers and myself. 1) I am unclear what point you are trying to make re Sultana. If you're referring to her video of Lance's arrest, that was discussed at a Easton committee meeting. I was not there and there is no video of the meeting. Hence, no story. 2) McClure has not formally announced, but it's no secret he's running. He's only teasing a run at this point.
Concerning the GOP and anti law enforcement opinions; I have a friend who is a retired State Trooper. Spent his career patrolling rural and suburban areas.
Told me a story about a conversation he once had with the Chief if a local volunteer fire department. Told me the Chief said to him one day, “Trooper, we love our Troopers around here……as long as we think that you’re on our side. When we stop thinking you’re on our side, you’re going to have a big f@cking problem.”
Said he knew exactly what the guy meant.
I think that summarizes most opinions associated with law enforcement, on the right and left.
Unbelievable! Bethlehem has went crazy with all these far left liberals.
I don't think its true, but let's assume Ice is here to use this program to find illegals. So the Council women who voted against this think it' s more important to protect potential illegals than it is to protecting women and children who are being exploited by predators? Vote them out!
"I don't think its true, but let's assume Ice is here to use this program to find illegals. So the Council women who voted against this think it' s more important to protect potential illegals than it is to protecting women and children who are being exploited by predators? Vote them out!"
They have a poor image of ICE, and I can attest that some of these guys can be cowboys as long ago as 1985, when I was an AUSA. I understand the suspicion. But that is mixed up with paranoia. They believe that the undocumented will be reluctant to come forward. But what about those who are being trafficked who are legitimate citizens? They will now suffer. Also, the reality here is that women who are being trafficked are eligible for all kinds of protections. I linked to them. This is not some underhanded scheme to get rid of illegals. Finally, Paige Van Wirt said she has heard that police in some cities hold undocumented, in some cases longer than they should, so ICE can pick them up. This is patently false. Law enforcement can hold someone only 48 hours for ICE and only if a detainer has been issued. If this person is a victim or witness to human trafficking, this person would have a basis for remaining in the US under a number of different programs. I get the suspicion of ICE, but it is mostly paranoia.
I have rejected a few rude comments that attempt to continue an off topic conversation. It insults my readers and me when you do this.
She added that Bethlehem police would refuse to engage in enforcement if immigration laws. -
This is wrong. Police should not decide what laws to enforce. They can focus on different crimes but to refuse to enforce a law? That’s the whole idea of separation of powers. Police enforce, legislators make the laws, judges decide cases…… anyway city council is nuts… glad I moved out of town
6:33 BPD has no authority to enforce immigration law, just as ICE has no authority to issue a speeding ticket. They enforce different laws. Human trafficking violates both state and federal law, so they can partner on the investigation of those crimes.
This is as SICK as SICK gets!!! Northampton County is nothing but an embarrassment anymore.
It appears that Bethlehem is as full of female dingbats as Allentown. 🤪
9.45
" in some cases longer than they should, so ICE can pick them up. This is patently false."
try
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-02-04/immigration-detainer-settlement
"A federal judge on Friday approved a $14-million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s past practice of holding people in jail beyond their release dates because of requests from immigration authorities.
The settlement caps a nearly decade-long court battle for people who were held in L.A. County jails illegally for days or months because of pending investigations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Note that the reference is to past practice in LA. I reiterate that the law is quite clear. Authorities can hold someone if ICE files a detainer, but only for 48 hours. On top[ of that, it is not Bethlehem Police who hold someone. If they make an arrest, they bring the defendant to a magisterial district judge who decides if the person should be held. This must be done very promptly. Police do not "hold" the defendant. If there is no detainer, the defendant is released. If there is, the Defendant will be held at jail, not be BPD, and only for 48 hours. That is the law. What Van Wirt stated is patently false and reflects a basic misunderstanding of the proposed partnership, which is aimed at human trafficking, not the undocumented.
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