From the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Service (ACCESS) (scroll down), with thanks to EPG:
ACCESS applauds the Dearborn City Council for passing a resolution on December 7, 2004, opposing the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal (CLEAR) Act. The CLEAR Act mandates that local law enforcement officers enforce federal immigration laws. The Act was introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Dearborn City Council expressed concern in the resolution that the Act would burden already hard-working police departments and threatens to destroy the positive relationships that the Dearborn Police Department has developed within the diverse community. The resolution stated that “trust is a big factor in our effectiveness to protect all of our residents. This act would compromise that trust.”
Council President Jack O’Reilly said that this resolution supports Mayor Michael A. Guido’s position against legislation like the CLEAR Act. Mayor Guido came out with a press release on April 22, 2003, clearly stating his opposition to the CLEAR Act, for it was an infringement upon civil rights, and could put a great burden on the police department and city operations.
Is it really a matter of trust to agree not to enforce federal laws? Is it really a civil rights issue to flout federal laws?