He was in the US illegally, but the Austin PD cut the guy loose after investigating him for child molestation. Two years later, David Diaz Morales broke into the home of 18-year-old former co-worker Jenny Garcia Hayden and stabbed her to death.

Garcia Hayden's parents think Austin police knew Diaz was a Mexican citizen living in the country illegally and should have called immigration authorities.

"What happened (to Jenny) happened because he was illegally in the country and was not deported," Garcia said.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Austin, names Police Chief Stan Knee and Assistant Chief Rudy Landeros as defendants.

It claims the city and police department have illegal policies that restrict employees from communicating with federal authorities about the immigration status of people in Austin.

The suit seeks a court order to prevent such restrictions by the city.
The city's lawyer, Anne Morgan, said Austin doesn't have a policy to prohibit employees from calling immigration officials.

The City Council has approved a resolution labeling Austin a "safety zone" where all people "are treated equally, with respect and dignity regardless of immigration status," Morgan added.

Given this is Austin, it is likely that the order was given that officers not report border-jumpers and over-stayers encountered during the course of ordinary police work. As a result, a girl is dead.

It is time for the courts to give the order that all immigration criminals be reported to immigration authorities by police.

Posted by: Greg at 11:53 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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