Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues in Phoenix, Arizona
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Remarks by Slain Police Officer Nick Erfle's Widow
Calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Julie Erfle
(Photo by Eduardo Barraza/BARRIOZONA)
(Photo by Eduardo Barraza/BARRIOZONA)
Julie Erfle, widow of Officer Nick Erfle, spoke to members of the media and public officials during the press
conference where changes to Operations Order 4.1 were announced.
conference where changes to Operations Order 4.1 were announced.
Phoenix, Arizona. May 22, 2008 - "Eight months ago when it was revealed that the person responsible
for my husband’s death was in this country illegally, I watched and listened as people debated not just
what the Police Department should do about illegal immigration but what also needs to be done on a
larger scale in this country.
"And for the most part I have remained silent. I have not said much on this issue. But today I’d like to
speak out. I would like to speak out in support of this policy. I believe this is a very good policy. A well
thought out policy, for a couple of reasons.
"One, because this policy took into consideration the experts in this matter and that is the Officers. The
people who are out there, day in and day out, performing this job. Officers in the streets, our Sergeants,
our Lieutenants. Those are the people who know best how to keep this city safe.
"However, the policy also balances concerns of citizens. It provides for Supervisor approval and it also
provides for a way to track the information and let us know what is happening out on a street level.
"I also want to note that I think that just a couple of months ago, maybe just a couple of weeks ago,
what we have here today seemed impossible. I think we should all be very interested and proud to see
who is standing here in support of this policy. We have our Chief, we have our Mayor, members of our
Council, members of our Police Unions. All in support of this policy. It almost makes me want to sing
“Kumbaya,” but I won’t. I will not do that.
"This is a great policy and I think it’s a great day for the city of Phoenix. However, there is more to be
done. This country is in need of comprehensive immigration reform. We need comprehensive immigration
reform that puts safety and humanity on an equal footing.
"And I’ll say that again. We need comprehensive immigration reform that puts safety and humanity on an
equal footing.
"We cannot have one without the other. For too long we have listened to the extremes of both sides, tell
us what should or shouldn’t be done and what can and cannot be done. And we have yet to find
common ground.
"I believe common ground exists. I believe that there are solutions out there. We can no longer let our
airwaves and our papers be controlled by those who refuse to find any type of common ground. Today I
would like to propose that because our leaders in Washington seem to refuse to do anything on this
matter, because as I’ve been told, it’s an election year, it’s too controversial of an issue, and nothing will
be done. I would like to propose that this state takes the lead on this issue.
"We are a border state. We have a vested interest in what happens. So I would love to see Governor
Napolitano set up a taskforce of individuals, individuals who could come together and make
recommendations on what could be done on a state level and what needs to be done on a national level
to provide comprehensive immigration reform. I believe this should be a taskforce that is first and
foremost nonpartisan.
"We have already seen what happens when there are people who join together for the sole purpose of
political gain. Nothing happens. You need people who are interested in this issue and do not have a
political agenda. We need individuals who are here because they are experts on immigration. Individuals
who can give their perspective, their knowledge, their insight into what needs to be done on a safety
level. Enforcement. What needs to be done needs to be done on a humanitarian level. Civil, Criminal law,
Constitutional law and so forth. I believe this is a real possibility. I believe if we do this, we can finally
find solutions.
"For far too long, we have done nothing. And because of that, people across this country have paid
dearly. And some have paid with their lives. Doing nothing should not be an option.
"My husband was an inspiration to many people, because of the way he lived his life. Because of his
strength and his courage, when facing some pretty insurmountable odds. I believe his death can also be
an inspiration. An inspiration for positive change. I hope that we will take the lessons from his death and
we will heed those lessons, and we will move forward. I hope that today will be a first step in
immigration reform, and not a last step. Thank you."
for my husband’s death was in this country illegally, I watched and listened as people debated not just
what the Police Department should do about illegal immigration but what also needs to be done on a
larger scale in this country.
"And for the most part I have remained silent. I have not said much on this issue. But today I’d like to
speak out. I would like to speak out in support of this policy. I believe this is a very good policy. A well
thought out policy, for a couple of reasons.
"One, because this policy took into consideration the experts in this matter and that is the Officers. The
people who are out there, day in and day out, performing this job. Officers in the streets, our Sergeants,
our Lieutenants. Those are the people who know best how to keep this city safe.
"However, the policy also balances concerns of citizens. It provides for Supervisor approval and it also
provides for a way to track the information and let us know what is happening out on a street level.
"I also want to note that I think that just a couple of months ago, maybe just a couple of weeks ago,
what we have here today seemed impossible. I think we should all be very interested and proud to see
who is standing here in support of this policy. We have our Chief, we have our Mayor, members of our
Council, members of our Police Unions. All in support of this policy. It almost makes me want to sing
“Kumbaya,” but I won’t. I will not do that.
"This is a great policy and I think it’s a great day for the city of Phoenix. However, there is more to be
done. This country is in need of comprehensive immigration reform. We need comprehensive immigration
reform that puts safety and humanity on an equal footing.
"And I’ll say that again. We need comprehensive immigration reform that puts safety and humanity on an
equal footing.
"We cannot have one without the other. For too long we have listened to the extremes of both sides, tell
us what should or shouldn’t be done and what can and cannot be done. And we have yet to find
common ground.
"I believe common ground exists. I believe that there are solutions out there. We can no longer let our
airwaves and our papers be controlled by those who refuse to find any type of common ground. Today I
would like to propose that because our leaders in Washington seem to refuse to do anything on this
matter, because as I’ve been told, it’s an election year, it’s too controversial of an issue, and nothing will
be done. I would like to propose that this state takes the lead on this issue.
"We are a border state. We have a vested interest in what happens. So I would love to see Governor
Napolitano set up a taskforce of individuals, individuals who could come together and make
recommendations on what could be done on a state level and what needs to be done on a national level
to provide comprehensive immigration reform. I believe this should be a taskforce that is first and
foremost nonpartisan.
"We have already seen what happens when there are people who join together for the sole purpose of
political gain. Nothing happens. You need people who are interested in this issue and do not have a
political agenda. We need individuals who are here because they are experts on immigration. Individuals
who can give their perspective, their knowledge, their insight into what needs to be done on a safety
level. Enforcement. What needs to be done needs to be done on a humanitarian level. Civil, Criminal law,
Constitutional law and so forth. I believe this is a real possibility. I believe if we do this, we can finally
find solutions.
"For far too long, we have done nothing. And because of that, people across this country have paid
dearly. And some have paid with their lives. Doing nothing should not be an option.
"My husband was an inspiration to many people, because of the way he lived his life. Because of his
strength and his courage, when facing some pretty insurmountable odds. I believe his death can also be
an inspiration. An inspiration for positive change. I hope that we will take the lessons from his death and
we will heed those lessons, and we will move forward. I hope that today will be a first step in
immigration reform, and not a last step. Thank you."
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2006-2011 All rights reserved. webmaster@hisi.org |
Eduardo Barraza is a journalist and writer,
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
Related Information
Officer Nick Erfle
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