Hmmm, wonder why they don't have the time or resources? Too busy following up with illegals who commit crimes here to other illegals...

Police spoke person Liz Wylie stated "Our job is to fight crime." Well, isn't being in our country without proper documentation a crime?

I so appreciate the police of Mtn. View, in particular their professionalism and their focus. I totally agree with their priorities. It is so important for anyone to be able to call them regarding crime. I don't expect them to tackle the immigration issues - anymore than I expect them to tackle what is going on in Libya.

That being said, for both Libya & immigration, compassion is key. Getting angry and/or condemning people does nothing for peace, and peace is really what is going to solve so many problems. Instead of concentrating on what - or who - is wrong, as yourself: what are the needs in the situation that are not being met? And how can we meet them better?

"We are not a sanctuary city," Wylie said.

However, actions speak louder than words. The Mountain View Police acted like Ostriches and hid their heads in the sand when it came to the woman's immigration status.

Our police turn a blind eye to illegal immigrants' violations of our laws such as driving without a license. Illegal immigrants are first class citizens in Mountain View, the rest of us are second class citizens.

Wow, so the MVPD would rather fallow me for 2miles in the dark and pull me over for a air freshener tree hanging from my rear view mirror. Wow, I guess my $1 tree shaped air freshener that I bought legally from a legal gas station is a higher priority crime than those that are here illegally doing illegal things and funding illegal businesses such as human smuggling and my precious tax dollars fund this BS.

"It's not our job to enforce immigration laws."

Right. It's ICE's job. But instead of calling ICE and letting them do their job, they let her go. How would MVPD like it if ICE picked up someone with an outstanding MVPD warrant and let them go because it "wasn't there job"?

"When she had trouble getting back into the U.S., some family members living in Mountain View hired a "coyote" -- or smuggler -- to bring the woman back into the country"

Nice wording from the MVPD. Shouldn't it be, "she had troubling when she violated US sovereignty when illegally crossing the US border?"

The whole family should be charged with conspiracy for engaging in human trafficking and breaking federal laws. Or does MVPD not prosecute those crimes either? Do we have new definitions now for human trafficking?

Kicking the immigration can to another agency is a typical cop out for most police departments. This will not be resolved until angry citizens take to the streets to force our civil servants to enforce our laws, instead of saying "its not our job". We vote in laws, then they find ways to avoid them.

This explanation does NOT fly at all. Sure, I appreciate that the police to not want to have people afraid to call them. But this is NOT a normal situation of just being an illegal alien. This woman precipitated this problem by trying to sneak back in the country. Her family engaged in human trafficking in a bid to get her back here. They put her life at risk. When the guy tried to evade he drove on the sidewalk and could have injured or killed other bystanders. If the smuggler had been armed and more desperate, the woman would have been putting his life at risk to save her. The "not our job" excuse completely overlooks the risk to the woman, the public, and the officer caused by her actions.

Steve makes a good point, with his "How would MVPD like it if ICE picked up someone with an outstanding MVPD warrant and let them go because it "wasn't there job"?

Do Mtn View police pass on ANY Federal violations to the right people? Do they look the other way only for immigration violations?

I think it is valuable to think about why someone would risk their life to come to a country that does not want them, but encourages people to come because they want cheap labor. What is it like to have to drive without a license, to live without protective rights and pray for the kindness of strangers? What would that be like? And why is it so hard for people to imagine that people come her illegally out of desperation. Some people in this country are so far removed from what happens in the world and caught up in petty finger pointing...as if to say the problem is from another country. It's that kind of thinking that enables this country to economically control others which in turn makes them desperate enough to want to come to a self indulged, self centered place like the United States. Fortunately their are enough people who care about human dignity and human rights over the thought of protecting 'our own' that the United States is also connected with a place of opportunity. But it's discouraging to only see one other response that can think in global, human interest terms rather being so ethnocentric.

Why is it the only side with the half that is represented by the illegal alien? It looks as if the smuggler may be an American citizen. How can he be charged and her not? Didn't she create the circumstances of these crimes Are not she and her family the masterminds?How is this woman a victim? She paid to be smuggled and then didn't honor the terms of her contract. She should be jailed and the smuggler freed, since MVPD only recognizes one half of this crime.

LV, I don't know the answers to your questions, but try doing the same in Mexico and see how far you get. I can guarantee you won't get a free education, healthcare, and welfare at the Mexican taxpayer's expense.

And when your done, ask yourself how much all these illegal immigrants cost the US taxpayers. Sooner or later we are going to go completely bankrupt

It is understandable to be frustrated at the system for not deporting her right away but if you want to convict the smuggler who is bring not just this one over but several you use her to prevent more crimes. Think of it like drugs...the police know that arresting the end user does little to deter crime. You go after the drug dealers and the "smugglers" bringing the drugs into the country. Yes, the female victim in this case is the drug and the police are using her as a piece of evidence. Yes, that is right a piece of evidence and when done they can send her back to the proper owner...Mexico. Use her for all they can for information and conviction of the higher up. I am sure the police will get him on the local crime and then let ICE charge him for the federal violation to. Sounds like a win to me. Good job MVPD.

"Our job is to fight crime, and we can't have a population afraid to call us for service,"

So drug dealers shouldn't be afraid to call the MVPD if they are robbed while selling drugs? If they do call MVPD, they won't be prosecuted or turned over to the DEA? As long as MVPD apprehends the robber, everything's good? Thank you, Ms. Wylie.

MVPD enforced the federal kidnapping law and I'd bet the farm that if somebody robbed a bank they'd enforce the federal bank robbery law so their excuse for NOT enforcing the federal immigration laws are pure, unadulterated bullshiite.

Being the 'Steve' quoted in the article, I appreciate the explanation of why the MVPD doesn't notify the responsible agency.
But my original question remains unanswered...WHO is responsible for the directive to look the other way when some crimes are being commited?

Everytime I call MVPD for service they tell they're too busy out on California Avenue or down at the Monte Carlo fighting crime.

Illegal immigrants in Mountain View keep the MVPD in business with all the crime and problems associated with them. Why the hec would they try to curb this problem when it's what they use to justify their budget every year?

You can now drive without a license in Mountain View and contract human smugglers and the police will sit by and do nothing. What's next?

I guarantee you that the so-called victim is long gone by now and definitely has no intention of applying for a visa after she paid someone to smuggle her in. She will never get. What she will do is get a fake ID, SSN, driver's license and then wreak havoc on someone else identity. You think not? Well she and her family have already broken several other laws so why would they stop now. THANKS MVPD. You make great criminals yourselves with this type of selective law enforcement that targets only legal citizens.

"We are not a sanctuary city," Wylie said.

Really?? Then what the hell is the Day Worker Center all about!?!

This is unbelievable BS that we as taxpayers are expected to put up with!

The next thing you know the city will endorse homes for birthing tourists. Web Link

After reading the posted comments, I, too, find myself being appalled at what transpired and the resulting response of Ms. Wylie and the MVPD.

So, essentially, my comment is this: two wrongs don't make a right. The "victim" was wrong (because she committed a crime) and the smuggler was wrong. Both, in my opinion should have been arrested, placed on ICE holds, and prepped for deportation.

I liken it to domestic violence situations wherein there is no clear 'dominant aggressor' and both of the involved parties are arrested. (Not the ideal situation, but *ish happens).

Thanks,

Frank

WOW...BRAVO too all of the above....except LV who is in fairyland..cheap labor...that is a joke....they are gaming the system and we are paying highly for it...MV and the MVPD ..CALL ICE.....turn her over and the people who paid for her illegal entry into our country...mt. view is losing its charm....and i am not alone when i say i am afraid to go there anymore...mt. view is a sanctuary city.....a few weeks back....they decided not to impound unregistered cars of illegals BECAUSE THERE WERE SOO MANY....and the illegals couldn't pay the fines and were losing their cars....but we the citizens of this country still have to pay....and pay and pay....and to build them a million dollar worker center....and free healthcare....and on and on...get rid of the anchor babies scheme...if the parent is here illegally....the child does not become an automatic citizen....no other country is stupid enough to allow that...it is so heartening to hear the residents of mt. view speaking up....take you charming town back...

'Not their job to enforce immigration issues.'
'Not a sanctuary city'
----
I recently read a story from Phoenix where illegal's were seen packing up and heading out. When asked some were heard saying they are coming to California where they know they will be supported and welcomed. If you live in certain neighborhoods in Mountain View you see it first hand.

I was born and raised in Mountain View. I still live here, raising my kids here. I am DISGUSTED with this city and the social engineering taking place and the complete LACK of applying the law equally and fairly to everyone REGARDLESS of race!! When ANY person, group, or organization treats any person different (favorable or unfavorable) because of their race, THAT IS RACISM!!

THE CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW HAS ENGAGED IN RACISM AGAINST NON-HISPANIC PEOPLE BY ENFORCING THE LAW WHILE AT THE SAME TIME NOT ENFORCED THE LAW FOR HISPANIC PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

It is because of the racist attitude of the city to unfairly apply the law unequally that I WILL BE LEAVING the city I was born & raised in and HAD planned on raising my family in!!!!!!

LV... From a humanitarian perspective, there are HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of people around the world that would rather be in the U.S. We cannot possibly accommodate them all. That is why we have immigration laws. The sheer number of illegal aliens coming into our country SIGNIFICANTLY reduces the number of legal immigrants we are able to take in. Why is the woman mentioned in this article more important or deserving than the Ukrainian, Vietnamese, or Congolese waiting years to come here within the law? We should be rewarding those that respect our laws, not those that blatantly disregard them.

I have read all of the comments written above, and I must say that I, too, agree with everyone except for LV. "Self-indulged, self-centered place like the United States". You should be ashamed of yourself! If you feel that way about the most free and wonderful place to live in the entire world, then go somewhere else and enjoy the freedoms that they have to offer. Maybe you can sneak into Mexico and try to get all of the free healthcare, food stamps, childcare, classes for your kids, and free Spanish lessons. Oh, but remember, if they catch you, you will either be immediately deported or thrown in jail. And those words are directly from the President of Mexico. They do not have "Sanctuary Cities", which, apparently MV has become. Navy_Gunner is absolutely right with everything that he said. MVPD and the City Council should be ashamed of themselves for looking the other way. I am sick and tired of paying taxes until there's almost nothing left for my family, yet I look at these huge families taking over MV who are milking us dry, and yes, I am losing the compassion that I used to feel for them. Illegal immigration has gotten out of control, and it is building things like the Day Worker Center that just adds to my fury. When will we wake up and realize that the freedoms and ways of America are being lost and no one is doing a thing about it?! Someone in a position of authority has got to wake up and smell the coffee. We are allowing the illegal Hispanic population to cost the rest of us a small fortune - and those of us that are here legally are paying for it. I could go on and on, but the people that have posted before me have said things quite eloquently. Everything happening in CA and our little town of MV is backwards and upside down. Law-abiding, legal citizens are hassled and/or ignored, while the illegal immigrants are given a free pass. I wish someone could explain to all of us how this has happened. Ms. Wylie, please don't treat us all like 5 year olds that don't have a clue as to what the laws are or what is happening in our town right under our noses. We are very aware and very frustrated and upset. It's time to stop all the rhetoric and treat us like the adults that we are. Stop making excuses for the MVPD and City Council and start doing something to save our town before none of us can enjoy an evening stroll through the town that we once loved.

Great to see I'm not alone in my disgust with MVPD policies. Any comments from City Council members?

The same people who whine about not being able to find jobs would not be willing to take the jobs that illegal immigrants do. That tough backbreaking labor and nasty things like cleaning toilets.

The problem is people in the US are "too good" to do those kinds of jobs. Even if it means they starve, they'll drain our unemployment system until they get a job "they deserve" rather than working hard to earn their money. And by and large, they're very same conservatives who claim we need less government spending...

You start taking those dirty, difficult jobs, and there will be less illegal immigrants in the US because there will be no jobs for them to fill. Problem solved. Otherwise, that work still needs to get done, and people are going to find that labor somewhere from people who are willing to do the work.

Many of you make me very nauseous with your ignorance and glad to be leaving this city eventually. Such a shame.

la:

I guess you are one of those people "too good" for any of those tough back-breaking jobs. Illegals don't have a monopoly on tough back-breaking jobs. That's pure fantasy. They do have a monopoly on bankrupting school districts, public healthcare and the prison system. Many companies and household employ legal citizens to do maintenance. Around here, however, some of the legal population is spoiled enough to where they are only willing to pay exploit wages to illegals to clean their house and do their gardening so they can live like the mini-rich. The articial over-abundance restaurants is only made possible by access to cheap illegal labor.

Go to another state with a low hispanic population, however, and you WILL find US citizens doing tough back-breaking jobs

@la - I've lived in other countries including France and Canada, and they seem to keep their toilets clean, landscapes manicured and crops harvested without the benefit of illegal immigrants. That topic is not related to MVPD selectively enforcing the law.

It seems pointless to make an argument either way. People believe what they believe depending on their own life experiences. Regardless of facts people will accuse another for their own misfortunes.
Are you really upset that you have to abide by laws? Would you rather feel alone and afraid and have no rights to support you and just hope that you get by? Poor American citizen...so hard to live here with all these laws that immigrants don't have to live by. If that were really true we would be ravaged and taken over wouldn't we?...us citizens who apparently need to stick together before the immigrants with all their mighty power take over?
European people can be immigrants too so it's possible that one can't possibly know who is legal or not by looking at their race. I know plenty of Irish people who are here illegally and I don't here a big uproar about them. The work day center is there for a financial reason not a humanitarian one. People want cheap labor to keep the prices down. Let's raise all the prices of goods and services and see who complains about that the work day center then. One can say it costs tax payers money, and it is in the long run saving money by keep labor costs down... but if you don't use the labor, why pay for it?...hard to imagine one wouldn't benefit from ANY of the labor done by illegal immigrants....but I will try...no...don't buy it.
The immigration issue had more to do with one's own disappointment in life and wanting to blame an outside source for their own misery...so why are most of you so unhappy with yourselves?

@Curious -

"I know plenty of Irish people who are here illegally and I don't here a big uproar about them"

That's because they are not involved in kidnappings, gang murders, and drug trafficking.

"People want cheap labor to keep the prices down. Let's raise all the prices of goods and services and see who complains about that the work day center then"

The price of goods and services in Canada is on par with the US, they don't have problems with illegal immigrants kidnapping each other.

@Curious -

"The work day center is there for a financial reason not a humanitarian one"

Not true. It's financed by donated money, staffed mostly by volunteers (1 FT, 1PT and 21 volunteers). It's purpose is to keep illegal immigrants off the streets - Web Link

Mission Statement :

"... Immigrant day laborers desperately need work, orientation to American society, English classes and job training, medical and legal support services, and a community to counter the extreme stress and isolation they experience."

@ la

A buddy of mine ,who is unemployed but here legally since birth, decided to stand out on el camino and san antonio to see if he could get a job like the day workers. They pulled out knives and threatened to kill him unless he left the area. Does that seem fair? Is it true that only illegals or latinos can do day labor? Dont give me that americans are to good to do jobs and are milking the unemployment system thats BS. This is getting out of hand 10 people per 1 bedroom apartment with 5 cars is crazy.

@la - You speak but say nothing. I am an executive level sales and customer service rep. I have been looking for 2 yrs and I have also gone below my expectations. Why? Because my unemployment benefits expired and I am buring my life savings just to make ends meet.

Meanwhile I have applied at fast food chains only to be told I was not what they were looking for. At least one guy that I barely understood told me the language barrior would be too much for me.

So, do not come here and tell people, Americans that we can't accept or do the work. We can but because of the illegal's here now we must coddle them and learn to speak Spanish? Really? This is what you want AMerica to turn in to? Not me!

Curious -

You appear to be missing the issue that most of the people on this thread are trying to deal with. That would be the issue of legal vs. illegal. This article is about a smuggler (illegal) being paid by a women trying to get into the US without proper documentation (illegal) who gets kidnapped by said smuggler when her family cannot come up with more money to pay him off (illegal x 2). What part of this are you having trouble with? This is happening in our town! The people on this thread are expressing their anger and frustration over a police dept. and town council who are looking the other way while illegal activities are taking place right under their noses. The Day Worker Center would be one of those illegal activities as well. Do you really want to put yourself at risk of prosecution for hiring an undocumented work from the DWC, when they have all your information to do so if someone decided to do a sting on them? This is turning into a "Sanctuary City" if I ever saw one. Do you want the crime that comes along with that? I understand that they are people too, blah, blah, but we have laws for a reason and you have to follow those laws or things like this kidnapping will be more and more blatant, since now the word is out that you won't get deported or arrested if you come to MV. Whoopee! I have no doubt that even as I'm writing this the word is being spread. I am so sick and tired of hearing about the poor people who just want a better life for them and their kids. Well, guess what? Some of us would like a better life for our kids, too, but we go about it legally. What would you say to someone who is here legally and has been trying to go through the system for years and years, and these other people are trying to butt in line? Get a grip. The very cloth of this nation is being torn apart by the millions of illegals claiming money and services that cost us - the honest taxpayer - almost half of our income. I, for one, am sick and tired of paying for them to get all of these free services while we have to pay through the nose. The only thing that the majority of the writers here want is an answer. Why do we look the other way when clearly laws are being broken right and left. It's so easy to say "it's not our job". What a cop out. It is everyone's job to see to it that the laws are enforced. And I am embarrassed that our PD and Council don't see it that way.

Thom -

I am so sorry to hear about your situation. And appalled that you were turned down because of the "language barrier". When you can't get a job in your own town, IN THE UNITED STATES, because you don't speak Spanish is the proof that things are going rapidly downhill. What more do these libs need? We are so busy taking care of illegals and their rights, that we are ignoring our own people. Again, I am so sorry that you are having such a difficult time and I hope that the tide changes for you very soon. Hang in there. You have a lot of people who understand how you are feeling.

The woman shouldn't be deported because Police had the chance to turn her over to ICE, it will make Illegals targets for other crimes, they won't be able to report those crimes. Best thing to do to prevent illegals from coming here, Don't let people hire them for anything.

Garrett: You really don't think that she should be deported? It will make them "targets for other crimes". So, reverse the situation. You have crossed the border illegally into Mexico. What do you think will happen? Do you think that they'll let you go so that if you are the target of a crime, you'll report it?! Seriously, think about it. We are too lenient and if we just look the other way, it will continue, I guarantee it. We are now going to be inundated with people escaping Mexico because MV doesn't prosecute or turn you over to the authorities. Nice.

@la and @LV: You completely miss the point. You think you are giving all those illegal immigrants a great opportunity. Ha! You are condoning the modern SLAVE labor system. Those people come here and do menial jobs for lousy wages. That keeps your produce costs down and other services. In the mean time, those workers both stay out of the hair of the corrupt Mexican government and send money back to keep it propped up!

You want to do them a favor. DON'T allow them to become your slaves. Force Mexico to have to face them, which probably would have overturned the government there long ago. In the mean time, employers HERE would have to pay Americans more to do those jobs (like they do throughout the rest of the world). That will mean your produce and other services go up in price, but to realistic levels. Then unemployment goes down here, Mexicans get a better country, we are all better off economically. But no, most bleeding hearts don't want to give up their cheap grapes, cheap gardening, and cheep menial labor. You keep employing desperate Mexican slaves and telling the rest of us you are doing them all a great service!

Good job Mountain View Police! Kidnapping is a serious crime and thank you for doing your job. Also, I agree with Liz Wylie regarding the kidnap victim, "She is a victim of a violent crime," Wylie said. As such, Mountain View police are concerned with bringing her kidnapper to justice -- and that is all. "It's not our job to enforce immigration laws."

I believe anyone can notify ICE about illegal immigration activity maybe citizens of MV need to take matters into their own hands. Has anyone you gone to 7-Eleven on Latham and Escuela especially in little later in the night. I will leave at that...

Folks, it is BECAUSE illegal immigrants see MV as a sanctuary city, and are in fact protected from enforcement of immigration laws, that this kidnap victim came here in the first place!! Bet her entire family is illegal too! Do we really need to encourage this practice, and the violence it engenders? Surely not. Passing this info on to ICE is the correct thing to do and will help save lives in the future and avert more crime by discouraging further illegal immigration and human smuggling.

P.S. It sorta reminds me of early discussions of the Pot Clubs, and how many city council members thought they were a "great idea" initially. Well, when your city harbors thousands of illegals, and immigration RELATED crimes (coyote kidnapping, violent chases) result, we need to say to the city council and MVPD, "I told you so!!" and "I don't want this in my city!" So thanks everyone for speaking up.