Pomona : City Asked Not to Help INS

Concerned about complaints from Pomona residents who claim they have been harassed by immigration officers, the City Council has asked a committee to develop an ordinance limiting city cooperation with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The ordinance was requested by a coalition of Latino, immigration and legal defense groups who accused Pomona police of participating in immigration raids. Police Chief Lloyd Wood denied the charge, saying his officers are instructed to avoid involvement in immigration matters. In fact, Wood complained, INS officials never notify his department when they conduct raids in Pomona, and it took his department two days to find out which INS office was responsible for a raid here June 21, which aroused resident complaints.

The council instructed the city attorney and police chief to meet with community groups to develop an ordinance spelling out the limits of the city’s cooperation with immigration authorities.