County considering providing informational material for undocumented community

County judge Veronica Escobar placed an item on the agenda on Monday to discuss if the County can provide “know your rights” informational material for the undocumented community.

County Commissioners unanimously voted (minus commissioner David Stout, who is out of town) in favor of proceeding with the agenda item. This means that the County Judge’s office will gather more information and create a plan that the court would then have to approve.

“Before we’ve used any of our resources in terms of research and starting to investigate what this pamphlet or brochure would look like, I wanted to make sure that this is something the court would be able to support,” Escobar said. “I was looking for consent from the court to proceed, and thankfully we got that.”

In early February, Irving Gonzalez, a transgender woman, was arrested by ICE agents after filing a protective order at the county courthouse.

“[It’s] really important right now, especially with the current climate happening at the national level, and in light of what happened in our court house a few weeks ago, and also in light of what I’m hearing from our community in terms of fears,” Escobar said. “I feel it’s important to educate the community as best as possible.”

County commissioner Andrew Haggerty said he would be okay with pamphlets being available in county buildings, but he is opposed to the county paying for them.

“I understand the need, but I think that’s what the non profits who are doing it, are doing it for,” Haggerty said. “I have no problems with the pamphlets being available. I do see an issue with a government body using tax payer dollars to create the pamphlet.”

County commissioner Carlos Leon, who retired as Chief of Police in 2003, said the pamphlets could be beneficial to the community.

“Looking to my days in law enforcement, I think even law enforcement would appreciate something like that,” Leon said. “I would want, and I’m sure law enforcement would want the public to be educated on what their rights are.”

County Commissioner Vince Perez said he thinks it’s important for all citizens, regardless of their citizenship status, to know their rights.

“There are many individuals who are also American citizens who are also unclear of their rights as they go through the criminal justice system,” Perez said. “Being a county courthouse, we shouldn’t necessarily limit ourselves to immigration, because it then opens the door. There’s a lot of other rights that people should be made aware of.”

Perez agrees with Haggerty when it comes to the cost of these pamphlets.

“There are several organizations that have already gone to the expense to provide information, whether it be the ACLU, or other organizations,” Perez said. “If there’s a cost to be incurred (by the county), then I think we have to evaluate.”