PORT TOWNSEND ¬– Jefferson County Democrats have passed a resolution opposing increased presence of Border Patrol agents on the North Olympic Peninsula — and the Clallam County Democratic Central Committee will consider a similar move in March.
The Jefferson County resolution calls for a “suspension of expanded Border Patrol activity away from the border until the utility, legality and constitutionality of this expansion has been determined by the Congress and the courts.”
The resolution passed unanimously Friday at a membership meeting of about 50 of the county’s some-400 party members, said Matt Sircely, Jefferson County party chairman.
The federal Border Patrol conducted road blocks — called checkpoints — on U.S. Highway 101 east of Forks and on state Highway 104 near the Hood Canal Bridge last summer and have boarded Olympic Bus Lines buses to look for illegal immigrants.
Border Patrol detentions have prompted protests in Port Townsend as well as Forks, Port Angeles and Sequim.
Fiscally irresponsible
The resolution also says that the Jefferson County Democrats are concerned that the Border Patrol expansion is fiscally irresponsible, infringes on the jurisdictions of local law enforcement agencies and that “the location of checkpoints and frequency of stops raises concern about racial profiling.”
While it is non-binding on anyone, Sircely feels the statement is important.
“Very often these types of resolutions don’t carry a lot of weight and are part of a formal process to try and get something passed on the state level,” Sircely said.
“At the same time, I believe this resolution carries weight all by itself because we’re the first county speak out.”
The Clallam County Democratic Central Committee will consider either adopting the same resolution as the Jefferson County group or writing one of its own when it meets at 10 a.m. March 21, John Marrs, chairman, said on Tuesday.
“I have talked to the chair in Jefferson County, and we haven’t had a meeting since they adopted this, but we will look at the next opportunity,” Marrs said.
“I’m inclined to agree in principle with their concern, but until the meeting, I’m not ready to go any further.”
The Clallam County Democratic Central Committee meeting will be in the Carver Room at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
The Jefferson County resolution is addressed to President Barack Obama, congressional leaders, Gov. Chris Gregoire, state legislators and federal Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
“We’re sending it everywhere, from elected officials to neighboring parties,” Sircely said.
“I have spoken with our colleges in Clallam County, and I know there is concern over there, and I know they will take a look at this.”
Border Patrol statement
The Border Patrol released a statement on Tuesday reiterating its commitment to its work on the Peninsula.
“As the primary federal law enforcement agency between the ports of entry, the Border Patrol’s mission is to prevent the entry of terrorists and their weapons of terrorism: to enforce the laws that protect America’s homeland by the detection, interdiction and apprehension of those who attempt to illegally enter or smuggle any person or contraband across our nation’s sovereign borders,” the statement said.
“In addition to this, checkpoint operations greatly enhance the Border Patrol’s ability to carry out the mission of securing the nation’s borders against terrorists, smugglers of weapons of terrorism, other contraband and illegal aliens.”
As part of a build-up of immigration law enforcement on the country’s northern border, Border Patrol agents based in Port Angeles have increased from four to 24 during the last two years, and the federal Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to build a facility with a short-term detention area in Port Angeles in 2009.
The Jefferson County Democrats’ resolution and other documents are available for viewing at www.jeffcodemocrats.com .
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
