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Apr 11, 2008 12:40 pm US/Pacific
Motion Would Target Criminals Illegally In L.A.
LOS ANGELES
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Jamiel Shaw (pictures) was allegedly gunned down by a reputed gang member, who was in the United States illegally.
CBS
A motion introduced Friday by Councilman Dennis Zine would allow gang members who are also illegal immigrants to be turned over to federal authorities.
Zine's motion seeks to amend Special Order 40, an LAPD policy that prohibits police officers from asking people about their immigration status.
Earlier this week, the family of 17-year-old Jamiel Shaw Jr., a high school football star who was allegedly killed by a reputed gang member, urged city leaders to go after criminals who are also undocumented immigrants.
Authorities believe Shaw's alleged killer, Pedro Espinoza, who was released from county jail the day before the slaying, was smuggled into the country when he was 4 years old. The 18th Street gang member has pleaded not guilty to murder.
"People who are here in this country illegally, who are trying to find the American dream, who are working hard, raising a family, not getting involved in anything illegal, going to church, paying taxes, I have empathy for those people," Zine said.
"(But) we're talking about gang members, who are violent in our community. There's a distinction between the two."
Pro-immigrant activists oppose any change to the order, saying changes would make immigrants fearful of the police.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
