Congressman-elect TJ Cox (D-Fresno) says the killing of a Newman police corporal allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant illustrates the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
Cpl. Ronil Singh of the Newman Police Department died Wednesday (Dec. 26) after attempting to stop a suspected DUI driver.
At a Friday news conference announcing the arrest of 32-year old Gustavo Perez Arriaga, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson blamed California’s sanctuary state law, SB 54.
“This could have been preventable. Under SB 54 in California, based on two arrests for DUI and some other active warrants this criminal has out there, law enforcement would have been prevented, prohibited from sharing the information with ICE about this criminal gang member,” Christianson said.
Cox Wants Immigration Reform
“If we have comprehensive immigration reform, then the jails will be able to inform people. Law enforcement should be working collaboratively, to be able to communicate across the board. … Sanctuary city laws were set up to assist law enforcement, so people felt free to be able to come to their law enforcement, to be able to report crimes.”—Congressman-elect TJ Cox
Cox didn’t support the sheriff’s conclusion.
“If we have comprehensive immigration reform, then the jails will be able to inform people. Law enforcement should be working collaboratively, to be able to communicate across the board. …Sanctuary city laws were set up to assist law enforcement, so people felt free to be able to come to their law enforcement, to be able to report crimes,” Cox said.
Cox said that SB 54 is a tool for the community to report crimes without fear.
“What we’ve got right now is the exactly the opposite. People don’t come forward to report crimes because they know if they show up and they are undocumented, they are going to be deported,” Cox said.
Trump and the Border Wall
President Donald Trump, on Twitter, used the killing of Singh to push for the building of a border wall.
Cox said that a border wall is an ineffective idea.
“A border wall is a 12th-century solution to a 21st-century problem,” Cox said.
The issue has been a sticking point between Trump and Democratic leadership during the partial federal government shutdown.
“What this is all about is, Mr. Trump being able to make political points with his base,” Cox said. “The border wall represents such a small, tiny fraction of our government spending, that he’s going to shut down the entire government?”
Cox will be sworn in on Jan. 3, representing the 21st congressional district.
Joyce Cason
December 29, 2018 at 4:35 pm
SB54 was set up to ‘protect’ the low wage earners for the fat cats. Anything to keep them here and not be deported to keep the wages of everyone in this valley low! Cox isn’t even from around here and tries to act like he’s got the answers. @USChamber has paid off most of the politicians for the employers. E-Verify + the Wall would solve the problem. Without the promise of jobs and free healthcare, phones, etc illegals would stay home and fix their own countries. Big fines for all employers caught with illegal workers would solve the problem quickly! WE need something like the bracero program or green card worker programs where they go home after 6 months and let others come here. Workers only, not bring the family for us to support! We can’t support the whole world like this!
Jayne
December 30, 2018 at 12:22 pm
I hope all the voters who voted for T J Cox now see what a HUGE mistake they made! I didn’t vote for him but I’m so sad so many others did!
Les Marsden
December 31, 2018 at 9:55 am
And Jayne – just exactly WHAT are you complaining about? It’s one thing to take potshots but quite another to specifically give the reasons for your attack, and then to defend your viewpoint. So again: just what is your problem with Cox?
Trump’s border wall folly is an incredible waste of taxpayer dollars (remember when he INSISTED Mexico would pay for this stupid idea?) which will NOT be able to significantly alter border crossings. The great majority of Americans have been consistently AGAINST this ancient, ineffective and wholly-uninformed wall. And rightfully so – there are far better, far more cost-effective solutions to maintaining the security of our borders. And Cox is absolutely correct about Christianson’s position: while the Sheriff is justifiably angry about the loss of his officer, the true solution DOES lie in meaningful immigration reform. And that’s not the position merely of Democrats – I’ve spoken with many Republican farmers/ranchers in the Central Valley who absolutely rely upon migrant farmworkers – and who want precisely what Cox is proposing. It’s a universal solution – and especially so to anyone who has the brains to realize Trump’s wall is empty rhetoric from the clueless bully sitting in the Oval Office.
JL
December 31, 2018 at 9:59 am
He hasn’t even been sworn in yet and is already demonstrating what a giant mistake his election will have been. Sad for California and our nation.
Teresa
December 31, 2018 at 10:13 am
People need to educate themselves before they vote and vote politicians who aren’t representing American s out. We cannot continue to bring people to the United States when we are in debt, our infrastructure is old and other countries aren’t helping their own. If these politicians care so much about others, why don’t they dedicate their time to helping those countries and stay out of our government. The reason is because they don’t really care, they are looking for easy votes from people who don’t understand government or economics. Most politicians interest are in power and money. Votes keep them in office, so recruiting the vulnerable is how they keep their power and money.
Nick young
January 1, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Those with criminal record should be sent out to jail and removal proceding is start to begin. What i disagree was that the immigration law enforcement also targeted those with no criminal records. And that is SO BIAS. That is unfair. These people worked hard to help american grassroots small business running. I am okay with targeting the gang members and put them in jail. But i am not okay with nice and law abiding immigrant being detained.
Let these people (not just DACA) coming out of shadow asked them to come forward and pay the fine 1000-5000/person. After biometrix and finger prints we gave them 2 years a renewable working permit and tax ID number (Not SSN) They must filed their taxes 10 years before they get SSN. So basically force them to pay the taxes for 10 years. And force them to learn english by taking ESL class as a requirement of the program.
But if they got caught doing criminals activities then they will lose their immigration status ASAP when they got detained.
Larry Lungren
January 2, 2019 at 4:46 pm
Nick Young – At least you seem to have a reasonable approach to the problem. Mr. Cox talks about comprehensive reform but no specifics just political talking points.