*Update: Petition on LAPD illegal-immigrant policy may be falling short

*Updated at 12:40 p.m.

It's looking less likely that Los Angeles voters will consider sweeping changes to the Los Angeles Police Department policy on dealing with illegal immigrants suspected of crimes.

The family of slain high school football player Jamiel Shaw and Los Angeles mayoral candidate Walter Moore wanted to place a measure on the May ballot that would allow police to arrest illegal-immigrant gang members even if the officers had not witnessed them committing crimes.

But according to Moore's website, the petition effort is falling short, and today is the deadline. Petitioners have collected 68,000 signatures but need nearly 74,000 to qualify for the ballot.

Jamiel Shaw Sr. and his wife, Anita, an Army sergeant who has served in Iraq, have called for changes to Police Department policy on gang members suspected of being illegal immigrants. They want officers to routinely check the immigration status of known gang members who are crime suspects -- which Shaw said would make it easier to immediately deport them.

Special Order 40 is a 1979 measure that limits when officers can inquire about the immigration status of crime victims and suspects. It became the subject of intense debate earlier this year after the slaying of high school  Jamiel Shaw II. He was allegedly gunned down by a reputed gang member who was in the country illegally. Pedro Espinoza, who awaits trial on a murder charge, had been released from Los Angeles County Jail the day before the killing.

LAPD officials and others in law enforcement have strongly opposed the change. They argue that Special Order 40 works and is crucial in encouraging illegal immigrants to cooperate with police. Some civil rights groups also oppose changes to Special Order 40.

-- Shelby Grad

UPDATE: Walter Moore, the author of Jamiel’s Law, said Friday morning that activists had collected about 68,000 of the 74,000-plus signatures they needed. He says it will be difficult to get all those that are needed. But the Shaw family says they now have close to 70,000 and expect to get a flood of petitions turned in today that will put them over the top. The city clerk then must verify the signatures to make sure they are from registered voters in the city. And that will take at least a few days.

--Phil Willon

Photo: Shaw family

Text of "Jamiel's Law"

This is a proposed ordinance to deny "sanctuary city" protection to illegal aliens in gangs in the city of Los Angeles.

Whereas, the city of Los Angeles is now a "sanctuary city" for illegal aliens due to city policies that prohibit and inhibit the Los Angeles Police Department from investigating violations of federal immigration law (e.g., LAPD Manual Vol. 1, § 390 and Vol. 4, §§ 264.50, 647.35);

Whereas, the city of Los Angeles is unsafe for law-abiding citizens, legal aliens and illegal aliens due to the prevalence of gangs that routinely commit crimes including but not limited to murder, extortion, robbery, rape, theft, drug-trafficking, and vandalism;

Whereas, many, if not most, of the members of the gangs in Los Angeles are illegal aliens; and

Whereas, there is no legitimate public policy reason for the city to extend "sanctuary city" protection to illegal aliens in the gangs that are ravaging our city;

Now therefore,

The people of the city of Los Angeles

Do ordain adoption of an ordinance as follows:

Section 1.  Jamiel's Law.  This short title of this ordinance shall be "Jamiel's Law," in honor of Jamiel Andre Shaw, II, a young man who had an exceptionally promising future until he was murdered in Los Angeles in 2008.

Section 2.  No Sanctuary For Gang Members.  The policy of this City from this point forward is, and shall be, to deny any "sanctuary city" protection to illegal aliens in gangs.  Neither the Mayor, the Chief of the Police nor any other City employee shall prohibit or inhibit Los Angeles Police Department officers from lawfully investigating possible violations of federal immigration laws by gang members.

Section 3.  Mandate To Investigate, Arrest And Assist.  The Mayor and the Chief of Police shall immediately develop and implement a plan for the Los Angeles Police Department, in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Attorney, to identify, arrest, deport and/or prosecute and imprison gang members who are in the country illegally, without waiting to catch them committing murders or other crimes before enforcing the immigration laws against them.

Section 4.  Reporting Requirement.  The Mayor shall provide the City Council and the public with quarterly written reports describing in reasonable detail the City's efforts to implement Jamiel's Law.  The reports will include, at a minimum, the number of persons arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department for violating federal immigration laws, and the number of those persons who are gang members.

Section 5.  Definitions.  For purposes of this ordinance, the terms "gang" and "criminal street gang" shall include any group that fits either or both of the following definitions:  a) the definition of "criminal street gang" set forth in the California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act, i.e., California Penal Code §§ 182.20-186.33; and b) the definition of "gang" set forth in the L.A.P.D. Manual, Volume 4, § 269.10.  The term "gang member" shall have the same meaning as in the L.A.P.D. Manual, Volume 4, § 269.10, namely, "A juvenile or adult who has been positively identified and documented as a gang member under the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) approved criteria."

Section 6.  Severability.  If any part or provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, including the application of that part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this ordinance are severable.

Comments

[Ross]

Too bad - we need this law !

[Juan Gabriel]

The point is moot; this measure will be unconstitutional and do little more than stoke antipathy on both sides of the immigration debate. It's a disgusting invasion of privacy, and as much as I think laws hamper law enforcement officials from doing their jobs, I also believe that this law in particular serves little positive and considerable negative purpose

[juanpabla]

A 1979 law? Has nothing changed since then?

[Ann Scibelli]

I agree strongly with this!

[James Sullivan]

I wish I'd known about this petition. I would gladly have signed it and I would have made sure my friends and family signed it too. The latinos have out-worn their welcome in the US. They have abused our hospitality and it is time for them to leave. There is no rationale for preventing police officers from inquiring about a person's immigration status: especially when that person is unable to speak English.

[Jack Johnson]

Not only should the citizens of Los Angeles support this effort we should demand that the 14th amendment to the US constitution be fully enforced;
Children born in the US to illegal immigrants arew NOT citizens.
Deport all illegals of whatever race.

[Jack Johnson]

Why am I not surprised by the comments of Juan Gabriel: Does one really think anyone of hispanic origins would ever support a law deporting illegal immigrants. Most of the hispanics in Los Angeles are themselves illegal.

[Jack Johnson]

Not only should illegal immigrants be deported so should the children born to illegals who are not covered under the 14th amendment to the US Constitution. Let's have the matter heard before the Supreme Court.

[James Flores]

Latinos have worn out our welcome? Uh, oh I better gather my things and go back to...oh wait, I'm from here. Mr. Sullivan you may want to qualify latinos with the word illegal or some other description because many of the latinos you refer to have families that have been in this state and country far longer than yours.

[James Flores]

It's unfortunate about what happened to Jamiel but Jaun is correct the law will be held unconstitutional because it is very poorly drafted, too broad, and doesn't get to the heart of the matter.

[Paul]

The LAT has repeatedly run editorials and stories regarding the passage of Prop 8 and the legal "struggle" of the people against it. With such an important cause trying to make it to the ballot, I am curious as to why the LAT waited until the deadline to run a story on it falling short. I will now look for another source for my news and discontinue my use of this site. Why? Because it is clear to me that the LAT stands for an "anything goes" society. Let all the illegals in and stay, no matter the cost to American citizens.

[Ray lopez]

I Am Personaly A Latino And You Guys Are Right in some ways. I Am Not a Gang banger But the fact that you Say We Need To Leave is Stupid if Anyone Has To leave Its Everybody Except Latinos and Native Americans. Why? Because This was Our Home land Your lil Prude Families Came here. You guys Killed Inocent people I Didnt Choose to Be Born here But Now. Every Younger Generation is the Future . Think About It La Mayor is Latino, Governator. Not Even American , Future pres is Black. Trip Out. To Bad For you.

[Sandy Gorman]

"Migrant Policy" what the hell is wrong with the LA Times? This policy was meant to arrest illegal gang bangers not "migrants" I can't believe the bias of this nasty rag

[Lidia]

Juan Gabriel are you an illegal alien gang banger?

[Ray]

The point is moot; this measure will be unconstitutional and do little more than stoke antipathy on both sides of the immigration debate. It's a disgusting invasion of privacy, and as much as I think laws hamper law enforcement officials from doing their jobs, I also believe that this law in particular serves little positive and considerable negative purpose
Posted by: Juan Gabriel | December 05, 2008 at 11:33 AM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I suppose you're one of those gang-loving, illegal alien activists like Enrique Morones and Nativo Lopez who strongly oppose ANY modifications to SP40. And I'm pretty sure you're gonna vote for that illegal alien-loving mayor Tony Villar for another term as mayor.

[James Flores]

Jack Johnson, I like your music, but you're an idiot!

[Brandon Rivera]

we need to deport these ILLEGAL immigrants. yes I know that these people are human beings and such but the United States can't handle a flood of millions of people overwhelming our education system, healthcare and the like. Not only those things but also crime and those idiot gang members. Enough is enough.

[joe martin]

Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Johnson reveal their bias, racial ignorance and just plain stupidity. Mexican communities were established in California as early as the 1780s. Mexicans are almost synonymous with California...You can not erase or revise history. Mexican-Americans are a large group in California who contribute richly in many ways to the strata of society here. The majority are legal, naturalized or citizens and want to be model citizens. Mexican-American will come to dominate politics and other areas of society in California by 2050 as they become more and more educated.

[Richard Ivey]

Jamie's Law is a waste of time: While some "white" guy is murdering my brother or sister, the police refuse to come to their rescue. Why? They are too busy at the police station with their immigration computers: checking the status of gangsta/homey teenagers. If you really want justice, hire the Mafia.

[Jack Johnson]

May 29th 1866 US Congress; Regarding the 14th amendment on birthright citizenship. This amendment which I have offered is declaratory of what I regard as the law of the land already, that every person born in the US are citizens, this will NOT of course include FOREIGNERS. Sen Jacob Howard MI Also read the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo my friend.

[Jack Johnson]

Does anyone in their right mind believe that the US Congress intended citizenship to children of women who are in the US illegally, running from the law until they can have a baby and then claim the right to stay here? Anything gained from an illegal act is itself illegal.

[Yesenia Mendoza]

Here is my manifesto of the day... with all this ignorance I was forced to write this long manifesto! Let me describe the perfect world these individuals would prefer to live in. The cave man didn't invent the wheel that enabled man to become nomadic and mate with other races or cultures that created the, for lack for a better word, civilizations we have now. Everyone would have stayed right where they are and the seven wonders of world would have never been known, religion and politics would not be an issue, currency would be worth nothing more than something wipe yourself with after relieving yourself. The Mexican, Chinese, Italian and Soul Food we all enjoy would never have existed. If you enjoy watching TV and your internet in color, thank the American, European and Mexican - yes Mexican Guillermo González Camarena - their combined patents enable us to enjoy these images, thank the Black inventor (whose ancestors are not native to the Americas) who made blood transfusions possible to save our sorry whining souls from death! If you still really wanted to send people back where "they came from", well, let's start with your "European" surnames, shall we??? Sullivan would be sent somewhere back to Ireland (or near there), Scibelli would go back to Italy – enjoy the mob, Johnson... well, must we really go there??? You would either be sent to England (where they are SUBJECTS of a monarchy and not CITIZENS or a republic as we are here), providing your ancestors didn't take their master's name, otherwise you'd go back somewhere to Africa, and if you are Black, well you wouldn’t be considered a Citizen either, it wasn’t that far back the whites of this nation also didn’t consider the children born in this country to their slaves as citizens – YOU SHOULD HAVE READ YOUR HISTORY BOOKS A LITTLE CLOSER IN SCHOOL... as for Gabriel.... well, guess what, part of him would still be allowed to stay here because the Spaniards who enslaved (yes, we were slaves) our ancestors were more likely to mix the races than were the English and their descendants who remained here. So only part of Gabriel (and myself) would be shipped back to Europe as well... unless you take into account any African ancestral blood within in the veins of those of Cuban, Puerto Rican or other Caribbean Islands descent that have African blood (look up Pangea), then we'd be split further!
We are all here... let's deal with it as best we can... I am sure no one ever bothers taking into account the ACTUAL Native American/Indian's feelings and ask what they think as far as who should stay and who should go...
Jamiel's family is doing as best they can to cope with his murder. No one can understand his Mother's pain except another Mother who has endured the same, and I can’t say I wouldn’t have reacted in the same manner. It is easy to say to not let pain cloud our thoughts by instigating hatred of immigrants, but those of us on the outside can help without having to discriminate against a whole group for the hateful choices of one idiot. If that were the case, good Lord, this entire country would be in further trouble with the stupid choices our given president has made these last eight years. I have seen several young friends – Black and Hispanic - die in LA while growing up in South Central. I saw how families were engulfed by hatred when their child was killed, but I also saw when families realized that no one should go through this pain again and would ask for peace throughout the neighborhoods because they all needed each other to make the neighborhoods safe for kids.
I too signed the petition, but it was under false pretenses when I was told it was only to check backgrounds of those arrested for violent crimes. I was not told that it included a provision for officers to detain anyone who they just assumed may be illegal because of their inability to speak English, if that were true, they would have to stop every black and again as well as Hispanic youth who dressed with what's in fashion - including those who would be legal immigrants and refugees. Let's not forget we allow refugees and immigrants from all over the world. So please... open up a history book and get educated before you start attacking other ethnicities and read up on the formation of the Earth – going back to Pangea, it’s original physical form and you will see that Africa is right next to North, Central and South America. AND LET’S BE REAL… Most of the gang killing in LA is Black on Black and Hispanic on Hispanic and even White on White and Asian on Asian. It’s the occasional inter-racial murders that make you distrust and dislike your immigrant neighbor. And don’t start that we weren’t asked to be brought here, because the slave trade in Africa was made possible by coastal Africans who went deep into inland to capture enemies to sell them off Dutch exporters who in turn brought them to the Americas. The Asians were asked to come and build the railroads, the Mexican was asked to plow the fields while the men were off liberating Europe after Pearl Harbor was ALLOWED to be bombed in order to join the War, etc, etc, etc… and if you think we don’t need immigrants here. Look around, the family unit size is dwindling (therefore a smaller work force, less SSA contributions for us) and the sense of responsibility to care for our elders is also disappearing (where will your parents live, with you? I am sure your wife will love that! Or in a nursing facility if they need care 24 hours a day? Or is your wife willing to do that as well? How about for her parents? Are you willing to care for them as well?). People will need immigrants to continue making this country what it is… a GREAT ONE… compared to everywhere else in the world today. I consider myself a Mexican American, as would a Black individual call themselves a Black or African American… but you couldn’t pay me to live elsewhere in the world!
One more thing, before I am accused of being of a one track mind because of my Spanish Surname (I am of Chechemecca Native Mexican American, Italian and Spanish Blood) I asked several people to read this before posting, three Black, one Asian and one White and they agree with the fact the arguments to send everyone where they came from are “ridiculous, impossible, illegal, immoral and just plain don’t make sense when we need the fields to be picked” where their responses. What black or white person in their right mind would want to go through what their ancestors lived through? Hell, you couldn't pay me enough to do what my Dad and Grandpa did as braceros during WW2! Most of these farms are owned by American Citizens who need the cheap labor to keep our food costs down. Besides History, please read up on Economics as well. And while you are it, study some Cultural Anthropology and you will see that all cultures share very similar traits… they want to live and let live.

[ks]

As soon as I read the article, I did my part and went to sign the petiton at Dennys at 530 Ramirez St.
I am just disappointed that the news of the struggle to get the needed number of votes did not get out sooner than the day when it is due.
They have until 4.30pm to get the needed signatures.

And please stop saying that the law would be targeting Latinos. It would mostly apply to them only because of the proximity of Mexico to US. If we bordered China, the Chinese would be crying wolf. The point is to rid US of unlawfully present immigrants.

[Yesenia Mendoza]

I have to post mine in segments, you can thank Johnson and Sullivan for the history lesson...

[Yesenia Mendoza]

Jamiel's family is doing as best they can to cope with his murder. No one can understand his Parent’s pain except other parents who have endured the same, and I can’t say we wouldn’t have reacted in the same manner. It is easy to say to not let pain cloud our thoughts by instigating hatred of immigrants, but those of us on the outside can help without having to discriminate against a whole group for the hateful choices of one idiot. If that were the case, good Lord, this entire country would be in further trouble with the stupid choices our given president has made these last eight years. I have seen several young friends – Black and Hispanic - die in LA while growing up in South Central. I saw how families were engulfed by hatred when their child was killed, but I also saw when families realized that no one should go through this pain again and would ask for peace throughout the neighborhoods because they all needed each other to make the neighborhoods safe for kids.

[Yesenia Mendoza]

You know... with all this ignorance, let me describe your perfect world you prefer to live in. The cave man didn't invent the wheel that enabled man to become nomadic and mate with other races or cultures that created, for lack of better words, the civilizations we know today. Everyone would have stayed right where they are and the seven wonders of world would have never been known, religion and politics would not be an issue, currency would be worth nothing more than something wipe yourself with after relieving yourself. The Mexican, Chinese, Italian and Soul Food we all enjoy would never have existed. If you enjoy watching TV and your internet in color, thank the American, European and Mexican - yes Mexican Guillermo González Camarena - their combined patents enable us to enjoy these images, thank the Black inventor (whose ancestors are not native to the Americas) who made blood transfusions possible to save our sorry whining souls from death!

[Yesenia Mendoza]

If you still really wanted to send people back where "they came from", well, let's start with your "European" surnames, shall we??? Sullivan would be sent somewhere back to Ireland (or near there), Scibelli would go back to Italy – enjoy the mob, Johnson... well, must we really go there??? You would either be sent to England (where they are SUBJECTS of a monarchy and not CITIZENS of a republic as we are here), providing your ancestors didn't take their master's name, otherwise you'd go back somewhere to Africa, then you wouldn’t be considered a Citizen either, it wasn’t that far back the whites of this nation also didn’t consider the children born in this country to their slaves as citizens – YOU SHOULD HAVE READ YOUR HISTORY BOOKS A LITTLE CLOSER IN SCHOOL... as for Gabriel.... well, guess what, part of him would still be allowed to stay here because the Spaniards who enslaved (yes, we were slaves) OUR European ancestors were more likely than yours and their descendants to mix the races (which is why we are Meztizos). So only part of Gabriel (and myself) would be shipped back to Europe as well... unless you take into account any African ancestral blood within in the veins of of Cuban, Puerto Rican or other Caribbean Islands descendants that have African blood (look up Pangea), hell we'd be split further!

[Yesenia Mendoza]

We are all here NOW... let's deal with it as best we can... I am sure no one ever bothers asking ACTUAL Native American/Indian's feelings and ask what they think as far as who should stay and who should go.
I too signed the petition, but it was under false pretenses when I was told it was only to check backgrounds of those arrested for violent crimes. I was not told that it included a provision for officers to detain anyone who they just assumed may be illegal because of their inability to speak English, if that were true, they would have to stop every black and again as well as Hispanic youth who dressed with what's in fashion - including those who would be legal immigrants and refugees. Let's not forget we allow refugees and immigrants from all over the world. So please... open up a history book and get educated before you start attacking other ethnicities and read up on the formation of the Earth – going back to Pangea, it’s original physical form and you will see that Africa is right next to North, Central and South America. AND LET’S BE REAL… Most of the gang killing in LA is Black on Black and Hispanic on Hispanic and even White on White and Asian on Asian. It’s the occasional inter-racial murders that make you distrust and dislike your immigrant neighbor.

[Bobby]

What can a rational person really say concerning the idioitic citizenry of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. They allow gangs to proliferate, they allow a police chief to tell them to leave the state if they don't like the fact he's not doing his job, they allow ridiculous taxes to be raised on them because of the iincompetence of the city council and the county board of supervisors. There is NOTHING ELSE TO DAY ABOUT IT ALL. INTELLIGENT PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE CITY AND STATE-- PERIOD. THEY WON'T PUT UP WITH THE ABUSE.

[Bobby]

Ray Lopez, I agree with you. Intelligent people are simply going to leave you with the mess you have. Then you'll have your land back, with roads and infrastructure included, unlike it was when Mexico "owned" it. Of Course, it wiill only be a matter of time before it all detriorates, and then you'll come looking to live among the killers again, Right?

[Yesenia Mendoza]

And don’t start with that old argument of “we weren’t asked to be brought here” mess, because the slave trade in Africa was made possible by coastal Africans who went deep into inland to capture enemies to sell them off Dutch exporters who in turn brought them to the Americas. The Asians were asked to come and build the railroads, etc, etc, etc… and if you think we don’t need immigrants here. Look around, the family unit size is dwindling (therefore a smaller work force, less SSA contributions for us) and the sense of responsibility to care for our elders is also disappearing (where will your parents live, with you or in a nursing facility when you can no longer care for them 24 hours a day?). People will need immigrants to continue making this country what it is… a GREAT ONE, not the best, there is no best as we all have faults, but it is a GREAT ONE… compared to everywhere else in the world today. I consider myself a Mexican American, as would a Black individual call themselves a Black or African American… but you couldn’t pay me to live elsewhere in the world!

[Yesenia Mendoza]

One more thing, before I am accused of being of a one track mind because of my Spanish Surname (I am of Chechemecca Native Mexican American, Italian and Spanish Blood) I asked several people to read this before posting, three Black, one Asian and one White and they agree with the fact the arguments to send everyone where they came from are “ridiculous, impossible, illegal, immoral and just plain don’t make sense when we need the fields to be picked” where their responses. What black or white person in their right mind would want to go that again with cheap labor??? Most of these farms are owned by American Citizens who need the cheap labor to keep our food costs down. Besides History, please read up on Economics as well. And while you are it, study some Cultural Anthropology and you will see that all cultures share very similar traits… they want to live and let live. In short… educate yourselves more please… and with actual Educational Books and not ones like those that created Hitler, Milosevic, or other genocide incidents like Mogadishi, Rwanda, Uganda, Khmer Rough, etc., etc., etc.
Like my HS Biology teacher, Mr. Bliss’ poster read… IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS… and it was not referring to his intellectual abilities but to our own ignorance of how precious life is.

[Yesenia Mendoza]

And further more, Johnson, the Treaty of Hidalgo also stated that 5,000,000 in US dollars was paid to Santa Ana and that ALL Mexicans and their descendants would travel freely without restrictions accross the border. Now, Santa Ana states he never received the money and was forced at gun point to sign it and the US conteded that he was paid and that it was an honorable treaty... now why don't we ask the citizens of Mexico how realiable were the politicians and militants of theirs and let's ask the Native Americans/Indians how well their treaties were "honored" by our government.

[Annie]

I feel for this family but they're being used by anti-immigration opportunity as pawns in passing a measure that may lead to more innocent lives lost. People should not be afraid of the police. If a woman is raped, she should not fear reporting the crime to the police because she's scared of being deported. The criminal can then go on and harm other victims. There is a reason we don't ask immigration status at the local police level.

[Delaware Bob]

It's just one problem after another with these ILLEGAL ALIENS. These problems WILL NOT go away until each and every ILLEGAL ALIEN is out of this Country and back in their own country where they belong.

I can't say the ILLEGAL ALIENS are completely to blame for the shape of our economy, but they are a BIG part of the problem. The ILLEGAL ALIENS send BILLIONS upon BILLIONS out of this Country every year, money we will NEVER see again. Does this help our economy? How about the BILLIONS the American taxpayers fork out for the ANCHOR BABIES, the schooling of them, the medical care and the list goes on. How about the MILLIONS upon MILLIONS paid to jail them for the crimes, then the cost to deport them. Does this help our economy?

I believe it is time for all 50 States to pass a State law, like Arizona, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and a few others. It is time for these ILLEGAL ALIENS to go back to their home Country and get out of this Country. The problems they are causing will not go away until the ILLEGAL ALIENS are out of here. I think that is plain to see.

[M A Andrews]

Just a Note:

In the history of the USA , no other immigrant group especially
an illegal one has come to the USA
"to dominate politics and other areas of society"!
Illegal Alien marchers in L.A. carried signs that said
"Europeans go home", "We will not assimilate" and
"You stole our land".

[Budswisr]

Does the mayor have a fund for passing out guns to illegal gang bangers from south of the border? He should! They need protection and a means to make a living.

[Drone]

Why don't we get to the root of the problem and deport everybody of non-Latino, non-Native American heritage. Euros are the ones who invaded the Southwest and continue to violate the provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Wasichus have permeated our original homeland, committed genocides and various other atrocities, all the while claiming this was "their land." They continue their xenophobic onslaught by claiming that we are "illegal" when, in fact, they live here only because their forebears stole deeded lands. That is illegitimate homesteading. Special Order 40 is the only protective device to bar the intrusion into the rights of law abiding Latinos (or anybody who looks like one). Everybody on this comment page who attests otherwise should take a course in California history. While what happened to Jamiel is a tragedy to the nth degree, marginalizing Latinos ala the Bracero Program, Operation Wetback and every other bias promulgated by non-indigenous peoples only promotes and extends institutional racist dogma.

[PeteR]

Unconstitutional, Juan Gabriel? Which provision of the Constitution are you referring to?