HEADLINE NEWS - SELECTED ARTICLES
MEXICO BUTTS INTO U.S. JUSTICE
Los Angeles Times/Bob Baker
February 11, 2003This op-ed piece, written by Bob Baker, president of Los Angeles Police Protective League, provides a good overview of the consequences of the refusal by the Mexican Supreme Court to extradite individuals who commit crimes, including the murder of peace officers, in the State of California.
COOLEY CLAIMS MEXICO IGNORING TREATY
San Gabriel Valley News/Mike Sprague
April 5, 2003Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley said that Mexico will not allow the extradition of criminals who face life in prison for crimes they committed in California. Cooley said, “There is an extradition treaty with Mexico. Therefore we should just say it’s in breach and go back to the table with them.” Cooley further commented that, “They can sentence how they want in Mexico, but they should not be imposing upon us their law and their sentencing philosophy. If I was facing a life sentence, I’d run South.”
MEXICO’S EXTRADITION POLICY IS MURDER
Antelope Valley Press/Editorial
December 11, 2002This editorial criticizes Mexico and Canada for refusing to extradite criminals who could be sentenced to death and in the case of Mexico, even those criminals who face a life sentence. Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley is quoted in a speech to the Latino Peace Officers Association, saying, “The position of the Mexican government will predictably make Mexico a magnet for the worst sort of violent criminals, including terrorists. This is is not a white-brown issue; it’s a justice issue. Our experience establishes most of the victims are Latinos.”
MEXICO, U.S. AGREE TO BE PATIENT IN TALKS
Los Angeles Times/Richard Boudreaux
November 27, 2003This articles details negotiations between Mexico and the United States related to migration and water. Unites States Secretary of State Colin Powell said that these two problems defy “rapid solutions”. Mexican President Vicente Fox urged the United States to immediately assure “safe, orderly and legal” migration of Mexicans to the United States by making legislative changes that would institute migration reform. The article reports tensions between the two governments over these issues.
MANY SEEK U.S. - MEXICO CITIZENSHIP
Los Angeles Daily Journal/Michelle Morgante
March 20, 2003The article reports that 30,000 United States Citizens has applied for dual citizenship with the Mexican government following a l998 change to Mexican law allowing for the duality. Recently, the numbers of applicants for dual citizenship appears to be growing with some Mexican consulates reporting applications of up to 400 per day. The dual citizenship gives the ability to own property and work in Mexico. Dual citizens, however, cannot vote or hold political office. Citizenship in Mexico does not affect United States citizenship rights. Dual citizens cite a love for both countries as their motivation for the duality.
FOREIGN LAWS PROTECTING WANTED MEN
Daily News/Ryan Oliver
June 10, 2002This article reports that half of the ten most wanted fugitives in the San Fernando Valley have fled to non-cooperative countries who refuse to extradite killers who flee inside their borders. The Los Angeles Police Department said they are very frustrated because they know where to find the suspects but cannot arrest them in foreign countries. The article quotes Jorge Garcia Villalobos, the Los Angeles based legal attaché for the Mexican government as saying, referring to laws in Mexico, “You cannot punish someone with the death penalty, and you cannot punish someone with life in prison. The purpose of the punishment is supposed to rehabilitate someone. It is the responsibility of the state to give this guy all the education so he can go home and be a good guy instead of a bad man.”
INFAMOUS PRISON CITY TORN DOWN
Los Angeles Times/Anne-Marie O’Connor
September 16, 2002This article discusses the infamous La Mesa State Penitentiary, located in Tijuana. As part of his reform agenda, Mexican President Vicente Fox ordered the “complete cleansing” of the prison where prisoners lived in town homes, shops flourished and drugs and prostitutes were readily available. Although the Mexican government claims change, others are skeptical. Victor Clark, the director of Tijuana’s Binational Center for Human Rights, said, “They say things have changed, but today prisoners are still selling cell phones for 50 cents a minute, and prostitutes are still going in. The price of heroin and cocaine has supposedly doubled.” Clark has visited the prison regularly since l989 and is considered an expert on the institution. Clark said that , “[T]he penitentiary was the under-the-table cash register of the state government. People made a lot of money at La Mesa, and the corruption went to very high levels. Not only did [government officials] know, but they were beneficiaries of the billions of dollars that the penitentiary generated.” The Mexican State Attorney General’s said that all “improprieties” will be investigated.
MURDER OF LOS ANGELES SHERIFF’S DEPUTY DAVID MARCH
FAMILY, COMRADES MOURN DEPUTY ONE YEAR AFTER SLAYING
Pasadena Star News/Ruby Gonzales
April 29, 2003This front-page article in the Pasadena Star News discusses the slaying of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy David March by alleged killer, Armando Garcia. Garcia is believed to have fled to Mexico, but cannot be extradited because of the refusal by the Mexican government to return criminals who would be subject to a life sentence or the death penalty. The article quotes Sheriff Lee Baca and District Attorney Bureau Director Janice Maurizi. Baca expressed his outrage at the inability to achieve justice by the State of California related to the killing of a member of his department. Maurizi suggests legislation that would allow California to prosecute criminals who fled to Mexico and returned to California following inadequate prosecution in Mexico.
DEPUTY KILLED
San Gabriel Valley News/Howard Breur, Jason Kosareff and Emanuel Parker
April 30, 2002This front-page article was written the day after Deputy March was brutally shot and killed by alleged murder Armando Garcia.
FOX-BUSH RIFT THREATENS EXTRADITIONS
San Gabriel Valley News/Ruby Gonzales
August 17, 2002Citing tensions over the Texas execution of Javier Juarez Medina, who killed a police officer, the article reports that President Vicente Fox cancelled a meeting with President Bush. The cancellation came at a time when United States officials were actively seeking the extradition of Armando Garcia, the killer of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy David March. The article also reports that since l990, 66 suspects who are wanted for murder or attempted murder have fled to Mexico. Since October 21, 2001 the Mexican government has refused to extradite individuals facing life sentences or the death penalty in the United States. The Mexican government cites its belief in rehabilitation as the motivation for their refusal.
FUGITIVES IN MEXICO
MEXICO IS STILL SEEN AS FUGITIVE FRIENDLY
Los Angeles Times/Jennifer Mena and Anna Gorman
June 29, 2003This article discusses the perception and the reality that Mexico provides a “safe haven” for criminals who commit crimes in the United States. The article discusses the killer of David March, who is believed to be in Mexico, as well as the notorious and now convicted rapist, Andrew Luster, who was captured by a bounty hunter in Mexico. The article includes a list of 12 defendants who fled justice in the United States to various locations in Mexico.
SPECIAL REPORT: RUNNING FOR THE BORDER
Las Vegas Review Journal/J.M. Kalil
December 15, 2002This article discusses murders committed by Mexican nationals who flee to Mexico following commission of their crimes. Las Vegas law enforcement officers complain that these individuals literally get away with murder. When these fugitives do get prosecuted in Mexico under what is known as an “Article IV” proceeding, they receive minor sentences that do not reflect the severity of the crime they commit. Local Los Angeles prosecutors and a representative from the California Attorney General’s office express similar frustration with those defendants who are prosecuted in Mexico for crimes they committed in California. Los Angeles prosecutor Janice Maurizi also said that it is difficult to obtain case outcomes from the Mexican government when a case is prosecuted in Mexico.
MEXICO RAMPS UP DEPORTATION OF FUGITIVES
Daily News/John Rice
June 26, 2003The article quotes Mexican Attorney General, Rafael Macedo de la Concha as saying that fugitives from the United States are being captured and deported at an unprecedented rate. In 2002, only 25 fugitives were formally extradited, which was up from nine in 2000. De la Concha said that, additionally, 200 foreigners were arrested for expulsion in 2002, up from about 160 the year before. Extradition and expulsion are subject to separate proceedings, extradition being the much more difficult to achieve.
MURDER SUSPECT’S GETAWAY TORMENTS
Daily News/Ryan Oliver
September 29, 2002The article reports on the l99l murder of sixteen-year-old Kenneth Caldera by suspect Rudy Gallegos. Following the murder, Rudy Gallegos fled to Mexico and his whereabouts are currently known but is incapable of being extradited because he would face a life sentence. The family of the victim is devastated by the failure to prosecute Gallegos. Ironically, the brother of the murder victim has become a border patrol agent who looks for the Gallegos as he does his job along the Mexican-United States border.
KILLERS SLIP AWAY TO MEXICO
Los Angeles Times/Jessica Garrison
May 27, 2002This article reports on the killing Jessica Zavala and her cousin, both killed by suspect Juan Manual Casillas. Subsequently, Casillas fled to Mexico and was ultimately arrested and tried in Mexico for the killings. Despite the fact that the killing occurred in the State of California and promises by the Los Angeles District Attorney to not seek the death penalty in an effort to get Casillas extradited, the Mexican government refused to extradite Casillas. The Mexican government, in refusing extradite, stated that “Mexico and the United States have two different legal systems” and that penalties in criminal cases “should help rehabilitate” criminals.
MEXICO STANCE STYMIES BEXAR CASE
San Antonio Express-News/Ihosvani Rodriguez
September 16, 2002On June 17, l998 one teenager was shot and killed, the other paralyzed, in Bexar County. Texas. The suspect in the matter was almost immediately identified and subsequently captured in Mexico. At the writing of this article, no trial of the suspect, Eric Quesada, had occurred. If convicted, Eric Quesada would potentially face two life sentences in Texas. Because Quesada faces two life sentences, the Mexican government is refusing to extradite the Quesada, citing an October 2001 ruling by the Mexican Supreme Court. Quesada’s co-defendant was tried and convicted, receiving 30 years in prison. Dennis Newhouse, the father of the murdered teenage boy, said, “The message I read is that, ‘If you commit a murder, then come right on in and welcome to Mexico.’ I am actually angry at my government for allowing Mexico to dictate how justice is served for a crime committed here.”
MAN WANTED IN CHILD’S DEATH ADDED TO FBI MOST WANTED
Associated Press
August 14, 2003Genero Espinosa Dorantes is currently charged and wanted in Nashville, Tennessee for the slaying of a four-year-old boy. The child’s autopsy showed he suffered from battered child syndrome and had been scalded and suffered infected burns from the waist down and internal head injuries. The FBI believes that Dorantes used an underground network of illegal immigrants to flee to Mexico.
KILLERS IN U.S. RELY ON MERCY OF MEXICO
JAPAN TIMES/Russell Working
July 26, 2003This article discusses a number of cases in arising out of multiple legal jurisdictions in the United States where suspects have fled to Mexico and cannot be extradited. One of the cases involved suspect Daniel Perez, who fled to Mexico following the alleged attempt murder of his wife, Anabella Vera, and the killing of her father following his release on bail during the trial for the attempt murder. Perez was convicted in absentia for the attempt murder of Anabella Vera, but Mexico currently refuses to extradite because Perez was sentenced to 35 years to life. Anabella Vera reports that she lives in fear every day of her life.
ACCOMMODATIONS BY UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO GET CRIMINALS INTO THE UNITED STATES TO BE PROSECUTED
ASHCROFT, MEXICO AG ANNOUNCE DRUG CHARGES
Los Angeles Daily Journal/Claude Wilbert
July 3, 2003United States officials are seeking lesser charges than what they originally filed as a means to get Mexico to extradite leaders of the Arellano-Felix cartel to the United States on drug charges. Original indictments against the Arellano-Felix brothers included counts that carried life sentences. However, the original indictments could be “shelved” in an agreement with Mexico to secure extradition in return for charges with less than life sentences because Mexico will not extradite when the criminal faces a life sentence.
REQUESTS FOR ACTION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
BUSH TO GET EXTRADITION PLEA FROM ROSEMEAD
San Gabriel Valley News/Cindy Arora
March 2, 2003The City of Rosemead spearheaded a drive that was taken over by the National League of Cities urging the President of the United States to lobby Mexican President Vicente Fox to extradite criminals who commit crimes in this country and then flee to Mexico. The killing of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy David March allegedly by Armando Garcia and the murder of four members of a Rosemead family by Evelio Zacarias spurred the City of Rosemead into action.
CHAVEZ REVIVES BILL SEEKING EXTRADITION IN DEPUTY’S SLAYING
San Gabriel Valley News/Chris Rizo
August 29, 2002The California Legislature considered sending a proposal to President Bush and the United States Congress urging them to push Mexico into reconsideration of treaty provisions and Mexican policies of not extraditing criminals who commit their crimes in this country and then flee to Mexico.
CHANGE SOUGHT IN RETURN OF SUSPECTS FROM MEXICO
Los Angeles Times/Richard Winton
March 18, 2003Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) asked the President of United States to renegotiate the existing extradition treaty with Mexico to allow for the return of 60 murder suspects from Mexico, including the alleged killer of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy David March
FAILURE TO PUNISH READMITTANCE BY CRIMINALS
ACCUSED COP-KILLER DEPORTED THREE TIMES/County Supervisor Mike Antonovich Will Take His Complaint to INS Director in Washington D.C.
San Gabriel Valley News/Rick Orlov and Marianne Love
May 7, 2003This article explains that Armando Garcia, the alleged killer of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy David March, had been deported three times, but was never prosecuted and sent to jail for illegal entry into the United States. At the time he allegedly killed March, he was again illegally in the country.
ALIEN FELONS AVOID PRISON: Feds Lack Resources to Pursue every Case
San Gabriel Valley News/Ruby Gonzales
July 1, 2002This article discusses a lack of monetary resources that deprives the federal government the ability to pursue cases where individuals are here illegally. Although legally prosecutable, the federal government does not, in many cases, pursue prosecution of individuals who continue to re-enter the United States following a previous deportation.
This article discusses a lack of monetary resources that deprives the federal government the ability to pursue cases where individuals are here illegally. Although legally prosecutable, the federal government does not, in many cases, pursue prosecution of individuals who continue to re-enter the United States following a previous deportation.
INS FAILS TO DEPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS IN LOCAL JAILS
Los Angeles Daily Journal/Julia Malone and Elliot Jaspin
February 18, 2003This article details the abduction and rape of a woman sitting in a park with her boyfriend by five men with criminal records who were subject to deportation, but were not incarcerated at the time.
FEINSTEIN CRITICAL OF BORDER PATROL PROCEDURES IN SLAYING CASE
Los Angeles Daily News/Associated Press
Undated ArticleUnited States Senator Diane Feinstein sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security with regard to the killing of an Oceanside police officer, Tony Zepetella, by Adrian George Camacho. Camacho is a Mexican national who was deported four times in l995, l996, l999 and 2002. Camacho also has criminal record and had served time in state prison on drug charges before he was deported in 2002. Border Patrol agents arrested Camacho when he tried to come back into the United States but subsequently released him on February 4, 2002 after he was treated for drug dependency. In her letter, Feinstein said that there was need for more vigilance in “securing the U.S. borders and interior.”
MEMO CURBS ARRESTS OF IMMIGRANTS
Following protests by the Mexican government and immigrant rights groups, the Border Patrol instructed agents not to make arrests or questions suspected illegal immigrants except along the United States-Mexican border. Line agents who work for the Border Patrol disagree strongly with the policy, which was announced in a memorandum dated August 8, 2003. Five members of a Mexican family were arrested near the Mexican consulate in downtown San Diego as they walked to obtain “matricula consular” identification cards issued by the Mexican government to their citizens who live in the United States without regard to their status as being in the United States legally or illegally. The union for the Border Patrol agents has reacted angrily. Agent Thane Gallagher, a union official, said, “I refuse not to do my job. They want us to turn a blind eye even if we know that an alien is here illegally and a criminal [besides]. That’s reprehensible. Whose mythical notion is this that once an illegal alien is in the United States, we’re supposed to turn our back.”
Los Angeles Times/H.G. Reza and Anna Gorman
August 13, 2003THE NEED FOR REFORM OF IMMIGRATION LAW AND BORDER CONTROL
MALKIN’S INVASION: The Review
V-Dare.com/Archives/Peter Brimelow
October 10, 2002This article reviews Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists, Criminals, and Other Foreign Menaces to Our Shores, by Michelle Malkin. Michelle Malkin’s recently written book on immigration law reform criticizes immigration reform laws dating back to the mid-l960’s. Malkin’s book describes in detail how terrorists and criminals come into the United States. Many of these individuals are repeat offenders who come into this country without adequate background checks. Specific cases are detailed in the book.
STOPPED AT THE BORDER
The Recorder on LAW.COM/Jeff Chorney
September 10, 2003This article describes the dilemma that California prosecutors face when deciding how to proceed in cases where suspects in criminal cases flee to Mexico. Prosecutors can agree to present a criminal case in Mexico where the results and sentencing are not consistent with the laws in California, or they can do nothing, hoping that the suspect will return from Mexico and be apprehended. If prosecutors agree to prosecution in Mexico, California law bars subsequent prosecution – even if the punishment in Mexico inadequate. Prosecutors in California would like to change the law, allowing California to subsequently prosecute cases that were litigated in Mexico. The article also discusses efforts on the part of Mexican authorities who want to revisit the decision by their own Supreme Court barring extradition in criminal cases where the suspect would receive a life sentence in the United States.
FBI DIRECTOR STRESSES NEED FOR SECURE MEXICAN BORDER
Associated Press/T. Badger
September, 2002FBI Director Robert Mueller said that the United States is faced with a legal balancing act that allows for trade to flourish and at the same time, guards our borders against allowing terrorists into the United States. The article further discusses legislation introduced by United States Senator John Cornyn from Texas that would establish a “guest-worker” program that would include a tracking system that would monitor workers from other countries who come into the United States. Cornyn believes that this type of system would allow legitimate workers to emigrate and at the same time, would filter out terrorists and other criminals.
MEXICANS OUTRAGED – AMERICANS INTERVENE IN OWN AFFAIRS
This article discusses a United States Supreme Court decision that held that an undocumented worker who committed document fraud to acquire employment has no right to back pay. The article further elaborates on statements made by Mexican President Vicente Fox urging the United States to “strengthen the programs of protection of Mexicans abroad, regardless of their migratory status.” One of the protections that Fox seeks is the legal acceptance of so-called “consular” identification cards.
V-Dare.com/Archives/Allan Wall
Undated
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