El Paso County Attorney Settles “Operation Linebacker” Lawsuit
Agreement
Avoids Lengthy and Costly Litigation Process
El Paso County Attorney José
Rodríguez announces that Commissioner's Court has approved an out of court
settlement with local activist Carl Starr, to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed in
federal court against the El Paso
County.
The lawsuit filed on May 26 and
amended on June 15 2006, alleged a violation of Starr's Fourth and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution arising from a traffic stop on a
bus that was traveling on I-10 near Fabens and involving sheriff deputies.
The agreement in no way should be
considered an admission of liability from either party and its only purpose is
to avoid a costly litigation process.
The settlement on this case states
that, in exchange for the release of all liability by the County, the El Paso
Sheriff Office agrees to memorialize in writing its policy that prohibits
Sheriff's Department Deputies from enforcing civil immigration law.
As part of the settlement, the El
Paso County Sheriff's Department agrees to provide its peace officers with
training to help them understand the limits of their authority with regard to
enforcement of civil immigration law.
County Attorney
José Rodríguez says the settlement is important because it would help to
dissipate the concerns expressed by immigrant groups regarding activities
conducted by sheriff officers as part of "Operation Linebacker".
"We want to ensure the community
that Sheriff's deputies will not be enforcing civil immigration law; that is
the duty of the federal government. The
Sheriff's Department will continue to focus its efforts on crime prevention.
All citizens should feel confident in reporting crime without regard to their
immigration status," said Rodríguez.
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For those interested members
of the media, First
Assistant County
Attorney Joanne Bernal will be available for interviews Tuesday morning between
10 and 11 at her office downtown. Please confirm if you are interested in
talking to her or call to make further arrangements.
Operation Linebacker Settlement.pdf