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“Ohio
Latino Affairs opposes House Bill 477 because it does not change
the status quo. Instead, the Commission supports legislation
that supports English language education and programs such
as ESL (English as a Second Language education) and
other initiatives that can help new U.S.-Americans learn the
language and integrate into our communities,” continued Escudero.
Amended Senate Bill 260
was passed by the Senate and is now before the House. OCHLA,
likewise, opposes the passage of this amended bill.
“This bill cannot render our communities safer; it does not
resolve the challenges of a broken immigration system, and has
the potential of destroying important community relationships
with the police that are in place right now. Ultimately, we must
also encourage federal agencies to do their job, not
volunteering state and local agencies with no guarantee of
reimbursement,” said Escudero. “Across
Ohio, partnerships between state, local, and federal law
enforcement are a reality today without the need for legislation
like Senate Bill 260.”
Recent accounts across the country, such as Prince William
County, Virginia, show that programs like SB 260 are bankrupting
local agencies, adding an unnecessary burden to local jails, and
distracting law enforcement from more critical tasks like
fighting violent crime.
Senator Teresa Fedor,
who cosponsored Amended SB 260, informed La Prensa that
she has since had second thoughts about bill 260 and will oppose
its ultimate passage. Gov. Ted Strickland has expressed
similar views of discontent.
On
that Thursday,
the Ohio House in Columbus heard testimony
concerning opposition to Amended Senate Bill 260.
According to Richard Romero, Chair of OCHLA, “I have taken the
opportunity to talk to Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti and
Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera; they agreed that this is not
something local law enforcement needs to be involved with. It is
a federal responsibility and local law enforcement should not be
asked to participate when they have a lack of manpower and
inadequate funding—Chief Rivera testified as such.
“I have also spoken with State Representative Matt Lundy, State
Representative Joe Koziura, State Senator Sue Morano, State
Senator Capri Cafaro, and Joyce Beatty, Minority House Leader,
and they all agree that as the bill is written now there are
some concerns and they will be keeping OCHLA informed as this
bill continues to move forward,” said Romero.
According to Escudero, ultimately, the goal of the OCHLA’s
endorsed resolutions is to promote English language learning and
public safety for all people in Ohio,
while doing so in a fiscally responsible manner.
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