WHEREAS, local law enforcement personnel and the sheriff are responsible to "protect and serve" all persons in the community through enforcement of local, county, and state laws and ordinances.

WHEREAS, local elected officials can ensure and secure loyalty, faith and trust from the community by establishing a separation of local law enforcement powers and federal powers.

WHEREAS, local law enforcement and the sheriff have the responsibility to investigate allegations that the law has been broken or that a reasonable suspicion exists before enforcing the law.

WHEREAS, ethnic appearance or more specifically "Mexican" appearance or the appearance that the individual is from an indigenous group is not sufficient to establish reasonable suspicion to stop any individual.

WHEREAS, local law enforcement and the deputy sheriff should adhere to policies and practices within their chain of command,

WHEREAS, the Immigration and Naturalization Service has a responsibility to enforce federal immigration law,

WHEREAS, the Immigration and Naturalization Service should not be called to enforce local, county, or state law.

WHEREAS, combined actions of the local law enforcement officers or the sheriff and the Immigration and Naturalization Service promote intimidation and fear with a corresponding loss in community cooperation and support.

WHEREAS, right wing groups in Southern California are asking city councils and county supervisors to enact ordinances to ensure that local law enforcement implement federal immigration laws.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that LULAC councils throughout the State of California to city councils and county supervisors an ordinance that states that "there shall be a separation of law enforcement powers between them and the Immigration and Naturalization Service."

Submitted by:
Sergio Sanchez, Director, District XII, California

Approved this 9th day of June, 2001.

Rick Dovalina
LULAC National President