THAT’S DEBATABLE:ICE agent enough?

In an opinion column published Aug. 13, Newport Beach Rep. John Campbell suggested local police must and should be involved in future immigration enforcement efforts, if they are to be successful. He argues hiring federal agents to find the approximately 6 million people who came here legally and overstayed their visas “would cost too much and be too intrusive. Instead, let’s just let local law enforcement officers check immigration status as part of routine police work.”

Is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent working in Costa Mesa’s jail enough, or should the city take a more active role in enforcing federal immigration law?

Costa Mesa police have been working with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents since December. I am proud to say more than 384 arrestees have been flagged as probable illegal aliens who will be subject to deportation after their jail time is served.

Washington should do more to uphold existing federal immigration laws.

Police need to arrest suspected criminals. If they cannot supply proper identification, they will be brought to the jail by Costa Mesa police, screened by ICE agents and possibly deported.

Wendy Leece

Costa Mesa councilwoman

Having an ICE agent in the Costa Mesa jail has been very effective in reducing and preventing crime in our local community. Almost 400 criminals have been flagged for deportation since December. If we look the other way on crimes committed by illegal immigrants then we are not being compassionate to the victims of crime, nor are we being accountable to those who came here legally as my parents did.

I do believe people should come here legally and that we should enforce workplace and employment laws. ICE should focus on putting an agent in every jail or using a closed circuit TV system to interview arrestees as is currently being used in some court jurisdictions. Also, if we are going to crack down on those working here illegally, then at the same time we need to address the need to allow more to come here legally through the green card system if there truly is a need.

Allan Mansoor

Costa Mesa mayor

The ICE agent in the Costa Mesa jail is the least expensive, least disruptive, most effective means for a city to enforce federal immigration laws.

Katrina Foley

Costa Mesa councilwoman

Did not respond

Linda Dixon

Costa Mesa councilwoman

Did not respond

Eric Bever

Costa Mesa Councilman