Scott wrote on Jun 23, 2007 10:45 PM:Savages

DeeCee wrote on Jun 23, 2007 11:36 PM:there is a misprint here!!!! It's not Escondido - it's 'mexcandido' (yes, intentionally spelled that way)- and we have the illegal population to prove it apparently!

Not good wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:16 AM:I just read an article from the UT website(sorry NCTIMES) about Escondido's bad image in general. This article I read doesn't help Escondido at all. But I still love the city.

I can hear it now wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:19 AM:I wonder how many blogs this article will get? I was going to compare anti-illegal bloggers to post-world war 1 German activist but maybe thats a little to extreme. But an interesting comparison.

Escondeeter wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:31 AM:Boy, talk about an Alice in Wonderland world! Flores is trying to disguise his support of illegal immigration as a Latino issue while at the same time falsely claiming those who oppose illegal immigration are anti-Latino. Time to hit the books again, Bill, how 'bout a nice beginning psychology text... start out with the chapter on projection. The numbers provide a clear answer for those who've been claiming that there's no statistics connecting illegals to local crime rates. It's right there in black and white, in May they caused roughly 25 percent of it.

Peter wrote on Jun 24, 2007 1:43 AM:Eleven illegals released because they didn't have a prior criminal history.. Being in this country isn't enough!! Wow, no wonder we have 13-20 million here and the number is growing each and every day....Escondido 43% Latino, thats 70,000 Latino's in Escondido... 449 people arrested and 109 suspected as illegal... yes I guess liberals can assume law enforcement is targeting illegals... Give me a break... the eleven released should have been deported!

Another Scott wrote on Jun 24, 2007 2:18 AM:To the Escondido Police Department I say Thank You! Criminals are criminals and if they are here illegally they are even bigger criminals. Keep up the good work!

chuckles wrote on Jun 24, 2007 5:07 AM:Thank you Escondido City Council for trying. Everybody I know can't wait to see the results from your new parking ordinance. Escondido has a chance still.

watch & learn wrote on Jun 24, 2007 6:18 AM:see the squeeky wheel does get the grease. Sheriff's dept. you have a contract to enforce the law, please do so. Elected officials, get active to enforce our immigration laws or start filing out your resume's, as enough is enough!

slappy wrote on Jun 24, 2007 6:33 AM:they are just here to commit those crimes that Americans simply will not do. So you see we need them, or else we will have to lay off police and sherrifs.

Skip wrote on Jun 24, 2007 6:52 AM:After reading the first Paraagraph, I instantly realized that "Edward" did not write this story.

Roberto wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:00 AM:The cause is simple: The cops are "Racists", and picking on brown people. Viva La Raza.

Syl wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:02 AM:Maybe not all Illegal Aliens are content on picking lettuce or being busboys in restaurents. The lure of crime and the drug trade offers way more money.

Skip wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:07 AM:ONLY 25% : One only need to look at the Escondido Police Department web site for most wanted and you would guess the amount to be much higher. What about driving without a license and insurance? Does that count? http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/police/news/wanted/index.html

Yipee! wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:12 AM:I couldn't be happier!

Human2 wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:12 AM:To all Latino's out there, from this Latino; I didn’t join government to allow one portion of our community to screw it up for the rest of us, when for the almighty vote we were willing to look the other way on members of our own group for being unjustly prosecuted. You can call me traitor, and anything else you want, but you KNOW that illegal immigration hurts us all. You know what it does to our wages, and how it affects us across the board.

To Skip wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:13 AM:The same thing occured to me!

this could be an anomaly wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:21 AM:Anomaly my butt........ Anyone with eyes can see that Illegal Aliens are bad for this country. It will take a lot more stories like this one to convince the people with their heads in the sand, and our politicians who are looking the other way. WAKE UP AMERICA, we are slipping into third world status, as millions of third world immigrants sneak across our borders and call this place home.

IF YOU THINK THIS STORY IS FUNNY .... wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:31 AM:FOR A REAL LAUGH, PLEASE SEE THIS STORY "Survey: Strong support for legalizing illegal immigrants among local voters" http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/06/20/news/top_stories/1_02_166_19_07.txt

Racial Profiling!!!! wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:35 AM:I'm sure that all you racists out there are glad to hear that they are not racially profiling white people, and thank God not the blacks either. There is a new color under attack, brown. I think this tactic is disgusting and I am so disappointed in our police department. Once again this is an indication of Sam, Marie, and Ed not concerned with our tax paying dollars and using them without advising us of how. This article states that they are checking the immigration status now even when minor crimes are committed. So if you are arrested or detained for let say running a stop sign or a red light and you have brown skin then immigration checks are done? Oh absolutely not this is not racial profiling, please give me a break. This is the epitome of it. How sad.

MVet wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:36 AM:Finally a story in the NCT about Illegal Aliens, which is based on real numbers. I still suspect that the number of Illegal Aliens involved in crimes is mush higher. The amounts of graffiti around the city seem to be quite high, no matter how fast the city tries to remove it. Marie and the rest of the city council are right, and have been right all along. They need our support. Illegal aliens should go back to their own country of origin, instead of bringing their country's standards and way of life here.

bob wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:39 AM:Keep up the good work.

Law enforcement does racial profiling law enforcement best!!!!! wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:09 AM:"While 109 out of 449 people sent to the Vista jail in May by Escondido police were suspected illegal immigrants," So the reason these people were arrested was because they were brown and could be illegal immigrants? Get real if that isn't racist I don't know what is! So now are you they saying that 340 brown people who were arrested did nothing wrong except be brown...yeah I thought so.

Beckyal wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:12 AM:Illegals have no regard for american laws. They believe that they can do anything they want in this country. The federal government is not going to do anything to them.

Dickey wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:30 AM:Finally - NCT reporting news that SUPPORTS the efforts of the rest of the City - that we have a problem and we need to work on it. Thank you, NCT, for reporting. Will you plan on continuing to analyze this data? Or was the May analysis the only one you'll do?

MW wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:35 AM:QUOTE : Just because the illegal immigrants are detained doesn't mean they will always face deportation. Of those 15 minor crime violators turned over to immigration agents, four were held and 11 were released because they had no prior criminal history, Benton said. >>>>> What kind of B.S. is that? I'm sick of hearing President Bush and AG Gonzales tell us catch & release has effectively ended! Why is ICE releasing illegal immigrants back into our population? Once their caught, they should be deported, not questions asked!

CATCH AND RELEASE wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:38 AM:re: Just because the illegal immigrants are detained doesn't mean they will always face deportation. Of those 15 minor crime violators turned over to immigration agents, four were held and 11 were released because they had no prior criminal history, Benton said. OF COURSE THESE PEOPLE HAVE NO CRIMINAL HISTORY, THEY HAVE NO HISTORY AT ALL! That is why they are called Illegal Aliens, or at the very least UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS. There is no documentation or previous record on these people. Just being in the United States without a Visa is a Crime! I am tired of the double speak and double standards.

Why do I have to press 1 for English? wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:41 AM:"Benton said. "But if they've violated our country's laws, they will be held accountable for that." Just because the illegal immigrants are detained doesn't mean they will always face deportation. Of those 15 minor crime violators turned over to immigration agents, four were held and 11 were released because they had no prior criminal history, Benton said. " Huh, can someone please explain we "hold them accountable", and then release them?

fedup wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:56 AM:ONLY 25%? It would be much lower if the ACLU had let the rentals ban to ILLEGALS stand! Paul Eakins, "they" are illegal ALIENS, aka CRIMINALS, not illegal immigrants, get your terms correct.

Ken wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:58 AM:The illegal aliens that are even committing minor crimes should also be treated as criminals. They to should be turned over to ICE for processing to be deported back to the country they came from. Breaking the law is breaking the law and should not be discriminated from those that are criminals. More should be arrested, until the point that we deport more than those that are coming in illegally to replace those that are being deported.

Esco's Open Arms wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:14 AM:Just think this is only for offenses involving people being sent to jail. What if the figures inclued the number of people who were cited or were listed as suspects in crime reports...the numbers would be astounding. Also Mr. Flores' comments about the police targeting Latino neighborhoods...well guess what Escondido is one large Latino neighborhood.

Robert (from America) wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:17 AM:When they sneak into your country and you complain, they call you racist. When they overwhelm your schools and slow the learning of your children and you object, they call you racist. When the cops enforce the laws and they are arrested, they call you racist. When they lie, cheat and steal and get caught, they blame it on "racist" cops. And at the end of it all, they have the outright audacity to state "viva la raza" (power to the race). How is that for racism. It seems to me that when our county had "legal" immigrants coming here, embracing our language, culture and laws, they were much more welcomed. Now the masses of law breaking foreigners think they deserve the same respect.

To Skip wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:31 AM:Funny, I thought the same thing. When I see an UnAmerican slanted story favoring Mexicans over Americans, Siffuentes tends to be at the helm. Bilbray needs to investigate how many Illegal Aliens the NC Times employs, they sure lean towards Mexico over the good old US of A. Funny, I'm supporting Bilbray and I don't tend to lean Republican. But when you're on a sinking ship, it doesn't matter what party the person who is shoring up the holes is from.

Thank You City of Esc wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:41 AM:Thank you City of Escondido for being persistent in attempting to control illegal immigration in Escondido. I wish San Marcos would step up their efforts. Not too long ago a house was rented or sold to (?) families and I counted 7 cars in the driveway the other day and people just sitting in their open garage. The yard is always filthy. Why do these people have to ruin the sight of a nice neighborhood? The house is for sale right next door? I can't imagine who's going to live there? Perhaps more illegals? When there is no respect for others, is when I get really ticked off! Oh, and just turning the corner off their street, there is a private masonry wall that continually gets graffiti. Nice!!!

Period wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:41 AM:If America is full of racists why are people literally dieing to get here? I for one would not break into a county where I knew I was going to be discriminated against.

Concerned wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:43 AM:Mr. Flores, I invite you to rent an apartment in the Mission/Fig neighborhood and live in it for a month. You will then have a true idea of the negative impact illegal immigration has on Escondido.

Tom wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:43 AM:Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought thanks to the Escondido mayor, that Escondido was a sanctuary city for illegals, am I wrong?

John wrote on Jun 24, 2007 9:51 AM:This is truly a good start, Keep up the good work.

Robert you said it beautifully wrote on Jun 24, 2007 10:10 AM:and the only other thing I can say is anyone, including Bush who supports amnesty should be tried for TREASON!

MW wrote on Jun 24, 2007 10:20 AM:Just wait until the Mexican trucks start coming over by the thousands. Once a truck passes through the border checkpoint, the illegals that crossed the border during the night will pile in those trucks for rides North! It'll be the underground railraod all over again, but this time it'll be used to bring people in, not get them out! The first underground railroad was a good thing, but this one will prove disasterous for the country!

Robin wrote on Jun 24, 2007 11:16 AM:STOP coming to the U.S. illegally and you won't risk deportation. If you choose to break U.S. immigration law - wherever you live in the U.S. - you will be at risk for deportation. Enter and live in the U.S. LEGALLY>

Oceanside Gangbusters wrote on Jun 24, 2007 11:28 AM:ViVa La RaZa -- now got home!!

Oceanside Gangbusters wrote on Jun 24, 2007 11:28 AM:Err. GO Home!!

Moved from Esco wrote on Jun 24, 2007 11:40 AM:After spending 18 years in Escondido and raising my kids it was time to get the heck out of there! We've been gone 2years and still have a lot of family there. The last 12 months we were their my oldest son was jumped three times and robbed once as he walked out of a fast food restaurant, all by Spanish speaking adults . My youngest son had his skateboard stolen by 4 Spanish speaking adults and my daughter was accosted on her way home from school by 2 Spanish speaking adults. All of them drove cars which driving cars that look like they were falling apart. We lived in a very nice area of Escondido and never had any issues in the 1st. 17 years. My daughter was also accosted by a white guy while walking with a girl friend. looks like 6 to 1 odds of being assaulted by suspected illegals. I think the problem is the inordinate amount of illegals in Escondido, not the number of Latinos, nor racial profiling.

It's to late you can't stop the other millions that will come wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:07 PM:Reagan provided amnesty and yet 12 million illegal aliens still crossed the border. South American is a hell hole with corrupt leaders and the citizens need to get out of there. The US should not allow illegals to send their money back to their countries. Make the illegals give up their home countries and spend all their monies here that way at least some of their money could be used to pay for the services we provide them. Expect 20 million more to come in the next ten years.

borderraven wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:08 PM:Illegal immigration is self victimization. Illegal aliens subject themselves to the hardships, and accept the poor living conditions. Go fix Mexico.

borderraven wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:10 PM:All Mexicans and Central Americans, should return home with the knowlege and vision of what makes America the nation it is, and rebuild their homeland to be a better place to live in.

borderraven wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:16 PM:The US Constitution makes Illegal Immigration, on a mass scale and uncontrolled rate, to be an invasion. An invasion is an attack against the US Constitution. Our nation is at war! Our local governments and police, must step up and help the federal government resolve this situation, or the people as a militia will demonstrate how the police and local government should do it.

Vistajoyce wrote on Jun 24, 2007 12:39 PM:Get out of my country!!!

San Marcos Resident wrote on Jun 24, 2007 1:24 PM:In Arizona, the Sheriff of Phoenix can not get ICE to come pick up illegals being released after serving felony time. The Sheriff has to pay for a bus to deport the illegals to the Mexican border. The only way to stop illegal immigration is to go after the ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS! It is a federal crime to hire and pay an individual who is in the country illegally. Employers like to hire illegals because they can pay them less money - the employers do not care that they are breaking the law.

Singer wrote on Jun 24, 2007 1:26 PM:"This is a small snapshot, one month's time, and this could be an anomaly," Benton said last week. "We don't know at this point." Yeah, right! And, what pumpkin patch did you just hatch from?

Home Town Boy wrote on Jun 24, 2007 2:34 PM:The anomaly is, the 25% is LOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jun 24, 2007 2:41 PM:Drive through Escondido any day of the week, and you'll see, they are awash with Mexicans, many of whom are illegal aliens. On weekends 'musica nortena' is blasting in the parks, the neighborhoods and from cars. Think about it, once illegal aliens are in the country, Escondido is a great place to hang out. They can blend in with the other illegal aliens, there are jobs, stores and shops, and they don't have to worry about going through another border check point unless they try to go further north. It's time we give our officials the power to get these people out of the country.

Redneck for Roundups wrote on Jun 24, 2007 2:45 PM:Let's roundup all of them furiners and send them south. We ken have all them home skooled folks clean our toilets and pick the vegies.

fedup wrote on Jun 24, 2007 2:49 PM:why do so many think that going after criminals is racist?

Monthly report on crime needed wrote on Jun 24, 2007 3:59 PM:Residents want to see this report EVERY month! We would also like to hear that ALL people wh break our laws are DEPORTED!! We have exisiting laws, simply enforce them!!!

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jun 24, 2007 4:58 PM:According to the most current US Census statistics (2000) San Diego's four major racial groups are as follows; White 60.2 percent, Hispanic 25.4, Asian 13.6, Black 7.9. Recently, I did some research into "who" is in custody here in the SD County jail system. In May 2007, the total jail population was around 3803 inmates in custody. The statistics for each racial group in custody were as follows; White 1218 persons or 32.03 percent, Hispanic 1459 persons or 38.36 percent, Asian (multiple countries) around 5 percent and Black 899 persons or 23.64 percent. As we can see, Hispanics outnumbered Whites by more than 200 people, yet they're less than half the population of Whites. From the statistics, Blacks were the most overrepresented racial group. But, if you look at the outstanding warrants, Hispanics are by far the largest racial group, with thousands 'wanted' by the SD Sheriffs dept. Since we live so close to Mexico, many of these are likely down in Mexico or on the run. If you go to the San Diego Sheriff's most wanted link 8 out of 10 are Hispanic. And on the FBI's Violent Crimes-Murder most wanted link it is a long list of mostly Hispanic criminals. If you do the research yourself, you'd see Hispanics are causing a disproportionate amount of violent crime here in our contry, many of whom are not citizens.

dave wrote on Jun 24, 2007 5:12 PM:Who cares about Escondido! You would only live there because you can't afford the coast. We should send all the illegals, homeless, and sex predators to Escondido.

Al wrote on Jun 24, 2007 5:17 PM:The number of arrests simply refelcts the high percentage of Latino's living here which are motly ILLERGAL's. In fact, I'd argue the numbers are disproportinately low because Mayor Do-Nothing Phieler doesn't want to rock the boat and arrest all those ILLEGAL criminals standing at Quince and Washington every morning or the clowns that pick-them up. She should but she won't enforce exisintg laws. And the city council wonders why the city schools have the lowest adademic test scores each year, why there is so much gang violence and the lowest per capita houeshold income of any north county city(?) Duh! No wonder EscoMexico is perceived by middle-income wage earners, who reside beyond it's borders, as a dump, an ILLEGAL sanctuary city. THe ILLEGAL community does nothing but degradw the quality of life for this town and it's image. And to think a Marriott Hotel is coming here, ala another Center for the Arts boondoggle. Total lunacy.

must be pc wrote on Jun 24, 2007 5:30 PM:ok let me tone this one down a little. if you think the problem is bad now, just wait 5 or 10 years. next time you drive through our little home town, count how many pregnant women with small children already attached are pushing strollers on the street. also, if you have the pleasure of passing one of our many schools when the beautiful children are departing, see if it takes more than one hand to count the number of non-latino students in the mass exodus. 43% of the population is latino? interesting, and i'm sure most people would agree with me, that number is in reality much higher. oh i forgot, they are only going by the legal citizens. come on nc times, print this one.

GO FLORES wrote on Jun 24, 2007 6:11 PM:So lets see here. Bill Flores, a retired San Diego County assistant sheriff and spokesman for El Grupo, a North County-based Latino activist coalition, said last week that "Escondido has a disproportionate number of illegal immigrants being arrested because the Police Department has disproportionately focused its efforts on the Latino community". Oh yeah, Flores, keep making excuses for the illegal Latinos in spite of overwhelming evidence that they are a HUGE problem. You are NOT part of the solution, you are part of the PROBLEM. Please GO FLORES. Take your racist attitude out of North County and go do something to fix the problems of Mexico.

2 fedup wrote on Jun 24, 2007 6:23 PM:Because it usually is.

Reardon wrote on Jun 24, 2007 6:26 PM:Yes, most illegal aliens in Escondido are Latino, and most illegals in Brighton Beach are Russian, and most illegals in Miami are Haitian, and most illegals in Boston are Irish. I can pick out recently arriving Mexicans, Russians, Haitians and Irish in each of the respective cities, and so can anyone with eyes. Gosh, do you think that a recently arriving Latino who speaks no English and is washing dishes or washing cars MIGHT just be illegal, and if a Latino speaks at least some English and wears a coat and tie and works for Qualcomm might NOT be illegal? DUH! Since most U.S. Citizens, Latinos, Russians, and Irish are all Caucasians, how can that be "racial" profiling?

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jun 24, 2007 6:38 PM:Thanks Paul Eakins for covering this story. As a concerned citizen I think it's important to cover news such as this. Is your fellow NCT writer EDWARD SIFUENTES (aka the 'Spin Doctor') following this story too? My guess he's probably working on another story to make illegal aliens look good for our country and spew his rhetoric about how the majority of American citizens are in favor of amnesty. He certainly takes us for fools. But the joke is on him. We know the truth.

Jefe wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:34 PM:Escondido had 25% of the arrests because they have a HUGE percentage of the county’s illegal aliens and alien criminals and gang members! Thank God for Marie, Sam, Ed, Dick, and all the citizen groups fighting the alien invasion there! We're winning and Bill Flores the La Raza activist can't stand it! Flores should be deported along with the rest of his traitorous friends fighting for open borders and illegal alien amnesty! You lost Billy, deal with it!

Dear Blog Editor wrote on Jun 24, 2007 7:35 PM:NOT FOR POSTING Why have you not posted any of the 5 blogs I've sent?

I Vote! wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:00 PM:I want Vote and I want El Grupo to represent me. I want equal rights, I am here beacuse I need the work, don't call me illegal, cause I'm doing the work you citizens won't. Even Ted kennedy can see this , why can't you. Someday i will have a vote, and vote you racists out. We are multiplying very much and soon will have more than you. You should do more for us now!

Enough wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:09 PM:Ok, I understand that illegal immigration is a problem, and it is. But to blame the illegal for everything is ridicolous. Post WW1 Germany, Hitler blamed the Jews for the countrys problem, and we all know what happaned to that country. Fortunatley, the US economy is strong and the hateful bloggers don't have any support.

Assimilate wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:14 PM:It's not they don't want to assimilate. Alot of them come from the rural country side and small villiges. They are almost the equivilent of redneck hillbillys. Notice they were cowboy hats too. Wastig my time typing away, the ones who should read this don't read this site.

Soccer wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:18 PM:How sad it is when Americans don't support thier own home team. US vs Mexico soccer games, as usual, majority of the fans were rooting for the other team. I blame Americans for not supporting Team USA. Hypocrites.

Jim wrote on Jun 25, 2007 4:17 AM:Bust those illegal Mexican Nationals who are in this country illegally. It's a crime to enter illegally, or to overstay a legal Visa. Thanks Escondido Police, for doing your jobs.

El Jefe wrote on Jun 25, 2007 7:59 AM:Why is it illegals - particularly Latinos think they're doing us a favor? They constantly tell us that we don't understand that "we need them". I think they have'nt noticed that certain states back east are now hiring foreign contract workers from Asia for agricultural jobs quite successfully. When the work is finished they go home!

Buddy wrote on Jun 25, 2007 9:16 AM:Escondido is looking better, and better, as far as a place to live goes! It's about time someone decided to uphold the law.

To Dave: wrote on Jun 25, 2007 2:07 PM:Actually, I live here in Escondido because I love my home and I was born here and have lived here for 46 years. I could have moved to the coast at any time. I dont like the overcast mornings. Your very immature in your statement, not everyone loves the coast. You probably live in Oceanslime anyway. Every city has it's problems and those of us who live here need to try and fix them. It's too bad the city has allowed the illegals to become such a problem, but we need to keep complaining to the city, voting for the ordinances that are going to help and dont give up.

US Citizen wrote on Jun 25, 2007 11:18 PM:Nice to see that at least one law enforcement agency is doing a good job. Thank you EPD.

Jake P. wrote on Jun 26, 2007 8:22 AM:Viva Los Padres de San Diego!!

25%? wrote on Jun 26, 2007 4:56 PM:We have over 90% on our block, what is the police politically correct? We call time after time, the illegals get deported and in 2 weeks they are back! What about having them do some real hard time in prision before being deported, they might think twice.

Desert Mom 07 wrote on Jun 27, 2007 5:11 AM:Is it any surprise regarding this story and how many illegals have been in Escondido??? My family and I decided to move away from Escondido and California for that matter, last year. And we're so glad we did!! We watched over the years, as the illegal population grew and grew in that community and how "they" crowded us out. We now live in Southeastern Arizona and yet, we barely have but a few illegals here. Hmmm... interesting.

Flores Logic Flawed wrote on Jun 27, 2007 9:07 PM:Assume Bill Flores is correct, and assume that the EPD only arrests latinos. Illegal alien activist have repeatedly asserted that no one can determine if a person is an illegal by looking at them. Thus, if all persons arrested are latino, then it appears that 25% of all latinos in Escondido are illegal. Since 43% of Escondido is latino, that would mean that there are at least 16,675 illegals in Escondido (141,000x43%x25%). Lets assume Flores is wrong. Lets assume that the arrests perfectly reflect the Escondido population. That would mean there may be as many as 35,250 illegals in Escondido (141,000x25%). Now assume Flores is partly right, that latinos are being 'targeted' so that 60% of the arrests are latino. That would mean that there would be 25,262 illegals in Escondido (141,000x43%x(25%/60%). Sorry, Bill Flores. No matter how you calculate it, there is a large number of illegal aliens in Escondido!

25% Of Latinos Illegal wrote on Jun 27, 2007 9:11 PM:Assuming that illegal aliens do not have a higher propensity to commit crimes, these figures indicate that 1 in 4 latinos residing in Escondido is an illegal alien.

Nick wrote on Jun 29, 2007 11:27 AM:Take Escondido back, one Illegal at a time. One by one, you will all be deported. I LOVE IT! Nothing I love more than listening to racist Mexican's whining about their rights. Keep up the good work Escondido, the majority of your citizens are on your side. The only people supporting the Illegals are the rest of the Illegals and their realatives and anchor baby kids. I'm brown and proud, but Native brown, but ALWAYS an American first!

Steve in Escondido wrote on Jun 29, 2007 8:16 PM:What a load of crap! History sure does repeat itself. You bigots are spewing the same filth and xenophobia shown during previous eras. The same dung flowed about blacks, italians, jews, irish, chinese and even native americans. Just who is more American? Define the term. My ancestors fought in the revolutionary war to create freedom for ALL people. Do I consider myself any more American than others? NO! I, for one, have worked with many Mexican immigrants and find them to be decent, intelligent, hard-working individuals. You racists ought to be ashamed of yourselves. You know who you are. If there is a judgement day you’d better be afraid…very afraid.

Reardon wrote on Jun 29, 2007 8:40 PM:Steve: "bigots," "filth," "xenophobia," "dung," and of course the term used the most right after "and" and "the" -- the great "R" word "Racists." Aside from name calling, what have you added to the dialog. The discussion is not, as you claim, about "immigration" but about illegal aliens. (The operative word is "illegal." Yes, in this border county that is mostly Latino; and in Brighton Beach it is Russian; in Miami it is Haitians; and in Boston it is Irish. The immigration Reform Bill was not aimed at Latinos, it was aimed at "illegal aliens." (That is the proper, government term,) I led two amigos through the 1986 Immigration Reform (Simpson-Mazzoli) and I am fed up that the government promised us that they would seal the border after that "last time amnesty." That bill was passes 7,541 days ago. The government lied under Democratic Congresses and Republican Congresses, and under Democratic and Republican Presidents.

Steve wrote on Jun 30, 2007 7:04 AM:Note this quote: "Just because the illegal immigrants are detained doesn't mean they will always face deportation. Of those 15 minor crime violators turned over to immigration agents, four were held and 11 were released because they had no prior criminal history," Benton said. It sounds like they just release illegals until they commit a crime. Being an illegal is a crime! Why do they let these criminals go free?

Steves Logic Flawed wrote on Jun 30, 2007 7:40 AM:Only 160,000 aliens are deported each year. Over 500,000 aliens ordered deported by the courts are still in the US. The Federal Government cannot find these individuals. Almost all current deportations are based on alien criminal activity. Individuals like Steve have been corrupted to the point of not wanting any effective enforcement of existing immigration laws.

Steve in Escondido wrote on Jun 30, 2007 10:55 PM:To Reardon...considering your response, I guess you know who you are. What really surprises me is your realization that "the government lied". By the way, you can sugar-coat it any way you like but nationally the outcry over immigration is mainly geared towards, as you put it,"Latinos". I'm curious as to why your buddy, Marie Waldron, didn't clue you in on that one. To Logic...corrupted by whom? The bogey man? Let’s address the REAL problems in this country without trying to blame them on an easy target. Istead,let’s talk about the destruction of our constitutional rights by the Bush administration. Let’s talk about the continuing manifest destiny that allows our ‘leaders’ to force this country’s will on weaker nations in the name of our ideology. Let’s talk about the corporate sell-out of global out-sourcing. Let's talk about the Federal Reserve's failed monetary policies which could ultimately lead to another "Great Depression". People talk about the cost of ‘illegal’ immigration….let’s instead talk about the even higher cost of an ‘illegal’ war fought solely to fund the industrial military complex. Let’s talk about the ‘illegal’ activities of our elected officials and ponder why, when caught, we still pay their collective pensions.

Where's the Fence wrote on Jul 1, 2007 6:52 AM:Great job Escondido! The American Latino's in this family want the borders secured and our immigration laws enforced. What's Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad and the rest of the communities doing to help with the influx to our communities? Thank you Congressmen Bilbray, Hunter, and Issa for trying to deal with this out of hand situation. Thank goodness Busby didn't get voted in or she would be helping them across the border with the other democrats just for possible votes.