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COLUMBUS — Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones had to pass up an appearance at the Miami University Middletown's immigration discussion Tuesday, but that didn't mean he wasn't spouting his views about the hot-button topic.
Jones and Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper were asked by state Sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester Twp., to testify in front of the Senate State and Local Government and Veteran Affairs Committee on Senate Bill 260.
The legislation introduced by Cates would give local law enforcement the authority to help investigate and enforce federal immigration laws.
"This is very important to protect the citizens of Ohio," said Jones, adding he feels some of the illegal aliens are bringing with them crime, drugs and terrorism.
Jones said he has compassion for people who come to this country seeking a better way of life and is in favor of speeding up the process to become a legal U.S. citizen.
"This is the greatest country in the world to live in," Jones said. "They are welcome here, they just have to do it legally."
Piper said, "I personally want to do everything possible to allow all legal immigrants to come here to live and work.
"But illegal immigrants put a real stress on the criminal justice system," Piper said. "The legislation we were speaking on behalf of is designed to help federal agents. It doesn't really create immigration law. It is to allow federal immigration officials to network with local officials and to give assistance if requested."
Cates could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.
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