The committee on oversight and government reform will come to order and then continue with the second panel of the hearing today. I would ask unanimous consent that congressman john of iowa be allowed to participaparticipa te and flipper does but in todays hearing your without objection, so ordered. Glad you could join us as well as mr. Courtney of connecticut who could also come join us. The second panel is probably the most important people we can you from and we are pleased to welcome mr. Ralph martin whose s chief of police at the santa marina, santa maria, california, please department, has an important perspective and we are pleased and honored you join with us here today. I would also like to allow mr. Courtney to help introduce ms. Wendy hartling. Thank you, chairman chabot and Ranking Member cummings. Again, we are honored today to have Wendy Hartling from connecticut join us here today. She is the quintessential small town america, and she was getting the devoted mother of Casey Chadwick who, as has been mentioned many times this morning, lost our live almost a year ago in norwich, connecticut, to a brutal homicide which was a couple of weeks ago came to a legal conclusion with the conviction of guine jean jacques. All i would say is Wendy Hartling was leading a very private life, and begin with a Strong Family connections in the community, that changed radically. She has been thrust into the public eye as someone who is against people attended all the Court Proceedings and has spoken out about really what was i think i already does this law and blunder by the government in terms of really following through on as what was said earlier a totally unambiguous deportation case. Just joined today by attorney chester who participate and the survivors of Homicide Group in the state of connecticut and krista, who was caseys best friend. I think all the members will be again deeply moved i went these tests were here today and get its an honor to have opportunity to introduce her come and i yield back spent i thank the gentleman. Again ms. Wendy hartling is the month of casey chaplet who was killed by an illegal immigrant on june 15 of 2015. Casey chadwick. We are beyond sad for your loss. You woke up one morning and your life changed, and im sure you never expected this. You certainly did not ever ask for this, but we appreciate your bravery for stepping forward and sharing your candid thoughts and perspective. Its important we all hear that, see it and feel it. So thank you for being here today. We also are pleased to have mr. Scott root who is a with a stick but unlike would like to have congressman young of iowa how introducing a give background perspective. You are recognized. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member cummings, and colleagues here that share this room today for this thing which is very important obviously. Thanks for only difference is that in todays and to introduce scott root, a fellow iowa and. He is from Council Bluffs which is on the western and of the Third District nestled up against the missouri river. And our mantra that is just to work hard and treat others right. A lot of patriotism there, fear and love of the lord to thank you for being here today. Earlier this year scott lost his daughter, a beautiful girl to a drunk driver. A criminal who took advantage of this administrations immigration policies, jumped bail and may never be brought to justice for his crimes. Scott, thank you for being here today to share your story. As im sure scott and my colleagues from iowa can attest to, iowans have unique sense of community. As well as two other members, a unique sense of community we are all in this together. When something happens to one of us, or neighbors, it really gives liberty to the situation but it hits us hard. It puts an impact on us personally. Because its like it is happening to all of us. Though we cannot fathom his grief, we are left with a deep sense of loss and we want to see justice. What happened to sarah was a tragedy and horrible crime and now the route of them and committee are not waiting to see if the man will ever be found, will ever stand trial because of failures of the court and failures of the federal government to enforce our laws. I had the chance to question try for earlier this year and she shared that eyes failed to follow through. She also said eyes would be looking at this case to make sure this doesnt happen again. As the chairman knows this is something we hear too often without seeing the actual results. From i. C. E. , not reviewing the request of the local police to the department of health and Human Services placing eswin mejia as an unaccompanied minor with his brother who is also here illegally, i am astounded at this administration not only continues to restrict the enforcement of our immigration laws but they dont seem to understand them at all in the first place. Nothing can bring sara back, but we can honor her and preserve her memory with the justice and making sure this never happens again. Scott, thank you for being here today. May god give you courage, wisdom, peace and strength in your fight for sarah and her memory, and for justice to thank you for being here today. Mr. Chairman, i yield. Thank you. Mr. Root, we appreciate your strength in being here today, and offering your perspective and look forward to hearing your testimony. And grief for your loss as well, so thank you. We are also pleased to have mr. Chris burbank, director of law for the occasion of the center for leasing equity. Is also the former chief of police, i believe 90s and the salt lake city, had the pleasure of interacting with them on a number of occasions. Mr. Burbank, we are pleased to have you here participating in getting a perspective as well. So thank you for being here. Pursuant to Committee Rules all witnesses are to be sworn before they testify. If you please each rise and raise your right hand. [witnesses were sworn in] thank you. You may be cede seated to let te record reflect that the witnesses all answered in the affirmative. We would appreciate you limiting your verbal comments to five minutes but your entire written record will be entered into the record. Chief martin, well start with you. You are recognized for five minutes. Please know in advance you need need to bring that microphone up close and just make sure it is on and thank you for that will help us all. Chief martin. Mr. Chairman, Committee Members can production. My name is rob born and under police chief for santa maria, california. Santa maria as the largest city in Santa Barbara county and one of the largest cities on californias central coast. And has published over 100,000, a few minutes from the coastline and is surrounded agriculture. We are about halfway between los angeles and san francisco. I am here to share with you an event that occurred just nine months ago. Its about the brutal and vicious attack message for you santa maria resident marilyn fairest the appetite of this attack she was gainfully employed at the air force base where she worked the night shift as a satellite tracker civilian contractor. Shes been doing this since 1974. Prior to that she spent four years in domestic air force. On the morning of july 24, 2015 at approximate 9 45 a. M. While she was sleeping, two suspects broke into her home, sexual assaulted her, strangled her and peter about the head and face with a hammer. But the spike the incredible beating, she would not give up. She thought back with all the strength she could muster, even more receiving repeated blows. The suspects left her for dead that somehow with the eyesocket shattered and her broken, neck bone broken, she dialed 911. As the suspects made their escape one of them identified as Victor Ramirez broke into another home on west donovan street entering through a sliding door. There he encountered three Young Children and their mother. However she managed to about 911 and the suspect fled again. Has offices responding, additional officers are now responding to west donovan on. Suspect martinez starts jumping backyard fences but the patrol officers set up a solid perimeter and within minutes one of our canine officers find martinez hiding underneath a tarp on the patio of a nearby home. Thats three blocks from maryland home and one block from the donovan street over he was arrested for burglary, sexual cell and attempted murder. During the fourth of the Investigation Detectives identified and arrested a second suspect, jose gomez to give a subsequent recharge with the same crimes. Eight days after marilyn fairest was attacked she died on able to recover from her brutal interest. Victor martinez is an illegal value from mexico. He had been arrested by the santa maria Police Department six times in the previous 15 months. He was released from the Santa Barbara county jail 96 hours before he attacked ms. Theirs. Jose gomez as a u. S. Assistant although he spent much of his life in mexico. He had had one previous arrest. Both are currently in custody awaiting trial. I believe when the federal and State Government fails to do its job it falls on the shoulders of local government and we are not equipped to deal with these issues financially or with personal. The errata sheet on martinez is a glaring example of federal and state failures. On one occasion in 2014 i. C. E. Filed a form of integration detainer. However, the Santa BarbaraSheriffs Department doesnt recognize the lawful based on the brand decision which is a federal court ruling. Two weeks before the attack, martinez was cited as opposed to being arrested for possession of methamphetamine because recently california passed prop 47 which ill address in a moment. On july 16, 2015, 8 days before assaulting ms. Fairest martinez was a precedent for felony possession as well as the session of drug paraphernalia. He was charged at the time with two additional misdemeanors because it two outstanding warrants for 10,000 apiece. Want to go to appear in court, and the other was very to appear in court and the other one was a probation violation. He was released that day. Four days later he attacks ms. Fairest. In california passed prop 47 november of 14. It was complete cant job on the people are it was titled state schools and state papers but in reality which is nothing more than a tough. What it did was in the fine print reduce felony drug possession by possession of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine to a misdemeanor citable offense. So now thousands of petitioning the courts to reduce the conviction as did martinez. Is the convictions are reduced to misdemeanors, isolate those later honesty that felonies are now misdemeanors. Santa maria as well as other cities throughout california are seeing an increase in homeless persons with high drug dependency, and many of these persons wouldve been removed from our state street come been required to appear in court and refer to drug rehabilitation and treatment programs. But the numbers have substantially decreased because of prop 47s with the combination of federal and state issues. I cant help but think a u. S. Marine makes a wrong turn at the border and hes locked up for months and months out of time and yet we india seem to be running a catch and release program for criminal aliens. Ive been in this business for 40 years, and when i have incidents whether its the root case or others, and people say its a tragedy or some kind of senseless tragedy, i just shake my head and say no. When we do not enforce a federal and state laws, all we truly have is a digital cant quite as. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Ms. Hartling, you are now recognized. Hi. My name is Wendy Hartling, and my life will never be the same after june 15, 2015. I am here on behalf of my daughter casey who was stabbed to death over 15 times and stuffed into a closet by criminal alien jean jacques. He was not guilty of attempted murder in 1996 and served 16 years in connecticut prison. He should have automatically deported by immigration and Customs Enforcement when he was released from prison. Instead he killed casey on june 15, 2015, and with some guilty of her murder after a trial. My hope is that he never gets out of prison. According to laws passed by congress, he should have been deported. I. C. E. Had him in custody and in detention three times. Tragically, i. C. E. Released in three times and he killed casey just a few months after his last release by eyes. From defensive wounds we know that casey thought courageously and that she suffered greatly before her death. If i. C. E. Implemented could have done their job, casey would not have died and i would no longer be here as a part of the club of homicide survivors which no parent wants to join. My attorney chester fairly has written an article on the failure of deportation of criminal aliens i would like to get a copy of the deportation process contributed wait a minute. Got to go back. He states this miscarriage of deportation process contributed to the death of Casey Chadwick and caused grief and suffering to that of us understand Inspector General of Homeland Security has undertaken a full investigation of the jean jacques failed deportation case and we are awaiting the report. My daughter was loved by so many family and friends come over 300 people came to her wake. Casey and i were very close. She called or texted me everyday. I can no longer talk to my daughter, hold her, hug her or simply just hang out with her or go out to eat, which was one of her favorite things to do. This breaks my heart of every second of every day. Her best friend of 13 years plus who came with me on this trip as support is devastated as is caseys boyfriend. This is what i have lost. I cant watch her walk down the aisle on the arm of her father. She will never have the chance of becoming a mom, something she was thinking of before her death. She will never see her two nephews go up or go to her siblings weddings. Shall never again be at our Family Functions and holidays. The tragedy of caseys death is not an isolated case, and is a occurring finally around the country. So that has to be done to fix this horrible problem. I would never want any family to have to go through this. The pain is always with me. My heart is broken. I go to survivors of Homicide Group, which is very helpful, and important thing i learned there was that the pain will never go away. I have to learn to live with it. I am trying but it is the hardest thing for me and my entire life. Still i must find the courage and strength to advocate for casey who cannot speak for herself. Thank you for listening. Thank you. And, of course, well include that letter into the record. You did great, thank you. Thank you. Mr. Blunt you are recognized for five minutes. Chairman chaffetz, Ranking Member cummings, respected members of House Committee and oversight government. My name is got rid. I think that opportunity to voice murder on sunday january 31 at about 2 a. M. By a drunk driver an illegal immigrant eswin mejia a lesson plan for hours sarawak with a 4. 0 grade point average and bachelors in criminal investigation from bellevue university. I would also like to take this opportunity to take the officers ago Police Department thank gosh it would also like to thank kristin and steph steve king, senator urged, grassley, session at the doctors and nurses at the university of nebraska medical center. As a 30 year member of the steamfitters local 464 is up on it i find myself thinking of Republican House and is a member reached out to us within weeks of sarahs death. My exwife were not counted by any democrats or i. C. E. Until april 22 after i learned i would testify, and the day, 82 days after my daughter was murdered. We were told i. C. E. Advantage in and they would be reaching out. I am an army veteran. I served with the first cavalry. My father was a world war ii medic and was recipient of the purple heart, silver star a different metal. I dont want to share this to talk of ourselves but rather to point out the root of them have served their country with called upon. Now theyre asking for your help in getting answers and justice. I mother and sister legally emigrated to the United States after world war ii and, to become american citizens. In my opinion the Obama Administration with open borders policy has changed uzbek we dont longer as for immigrants to assimilate to our way of life, rather schools, governments are required to accommodate to their knees other country. My mother and sister took pride in the coming americans entering the link and culture. By allowing Illegal Immigrants to take custody of Illegal Immigrants with no controls in place for a personal like eswin mejia, the man who killed my daughter, were to break our laws. Sarah was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, niece and to think she was bright, smart, loving, caring, or stifle and stronger like her brother and mom she stood up for bullies. My son scott lost his best friend, confidant when sarah died. Her mother lost her best friend. Daughter and fellow kansas city chief, i would like to do this opportunity to walk my guard down the aisle on her wedding day and spoiled her grandchildren. She loved to fish and, the schituate to try deer hunting. In the Early Morning of january 31 i received no call a parent should ever have to change. My family was summoned to the hospital at approximate 4 a. M. Ifalpa to do with a broken leg or a broken arm. I didnt care think the worst. I was that was identify their child. Her spinal cord was snapped. Her skull fractured into places. Her face was swollen and beyond recognition. We identified her by her tattoo on her rib cage, live, love, laugh and a crucifix. The neurosurgeon center chance for recovery wizard. No parent should have to do without a special when the situation could have been prevented if the laws have been followed and enforced. Said it was an organ donor. We kept on life support three days to allow organ recipients and their doctors to prepare themselves for harvesting. Sarah to her unselfish act was able to save six individuals. She also helped four to five dozen more through donation of tissue, tendons and bones. Since the accident i learned eswin mejia had been apprehended in arizona is seeking passionate as a 16 year old mind. Due to pressure being applied to the mentioned congressmen, senators, he is not an i. C. E. Top 10 most wanted list. This is ironic on the webpages as unlawful, illegal when apprehended in arizona he was released to another illegal. When the omaha police apologized five times requesting a detainer, we reached each time with unlawful, illegal. Eswin mejia was released four days in jail and his brother posted 10 of 80,000 which is 5000 it cost more to bury my daughter. My famil family understands ques have not been answered but i would like to go on the record for the following, local level my friends are collecting signatures against jeffrey, to remove them from the bench. He failed to show up for minor traffic infraction represented a flight risk. Our question at the federal level, who is accountable . Sarah johnson, barack obama. Harry truman uses a the buck stops you. This is the only case of administration. The judge set bail for another illegal accused of homicide by automobile. I is set to begin on. Senator grassley at a joint letter to jeh johnson many answers for case that the sender can senators asked had demanded answered that if they cannot get answers from iowa, sorry. Held accountable, yeah, sorry. Has anyone been held accountable at the local level . Is bound to have the months since the senators and congressmen have fast answers to i. C. E. When can we expect to get into sports the omaha Police Department did their jobs. How is it that illegal brother was able to bail them out and disappeared bucks do i get a choice which laws to follow . If not, which does unlawful or illegal immigrant mean . In the criteria level, i would like would someone please explain how a daughter had a spinal cord and a school fractured in 2000 places by 6000 sound pick up with 1000 pounds of roofing equipment traveling at 7080 Miles Per Hour and an under aged person, three times over the legal limit drag racing from honduras not violate . Explain that to me. What information you have on Edwards Family and friends with who owned the vehicle that killed my dog was i understand its another illegal from wichita, kansas. He was driving the streets with no drivers license, no registration, no interest. Hit did not show provocations fr minor traffic violations. It was assumed he would show up for Motor Vehicle homicide. On detention level, are the steps in place . Does he have a cellular card is what is being done in the country ponders . He was apprehended in arizona, was a file created . If so what information has been communicated . If the Obama Administration position on this is not to enforce immigration law, what is the purpose of i. C. E. And our tax dollars being wasted . The only incentive to capture him is 5000 reward for the omaha crimestoppers. What other means are available to the National Law Enforcement and people in honduras . Mexico or United States to turn him into authorities . In my closing my family and friends will not stop until people at the local and federal level are held accountable, two were killed and brought to justice. When edwin is god he will face a 20 Year Prison Sentence and eight to 10 with Good Behavior but my family is facing a sense without her. Persons is unavoidable and would have occurred if the failed policies of Obama Administration and the laws that allowed be ignored and incompetent local judicial system. This was the last time i saw seven was january 31. She graduated from bellevue university, now i carry a cross on my heart. I want to leave you with a personal story. And sarah was young she had a patch of hair on her back to i would tease her by calling her monkey girl. She hated it but she knew it was coming from her fathers love, i love you for ever, much ago. Thank you for this opportunity to share centers store and my familys story. Scott root. Thank you. Thank you for your personal service to this country and for the strength to be able to offer that statement and be here today, and god bless you. Between yourself and ms. Hartling, thank you for sharing your stories. We will not recognize chief burbank that i would like to say department, and would family i am sincerely sorry for your loss or you deserve much better. That i was ever of Law Enforcement and the love of your communities. Committee members, we are experiencing a modern translation of our world and a special of our nation. Demographics cultures, economies and public expectation are evolving rapidly, interconnection of the globe through technology and the migration of people is a dynamic driver of change. Moderate immigration has introduced cultural, religious and intellectual diversity creating avenues for multicultural competitiveness, robust scientific evidence, indicates that immigrants contribute economically, improve the local tax base can stabilize a comment and drive down crime whether they move lawfully or unlawfully into new communities. Some of the highest immigrant populated cities have experienced the steepest declines in crime to do with deadly mr. Bennet change has marked an increase in bias, and equity, vitriol and fear. Immigrants are ever increasingly stereotyped and demonize inappropriately for the involvement in criminal activity. Research conducted has consistently shown that immigrants are less likely to commit a series of crimes or be incarcerated. This holds true whether documented or undocumented out and regardless of the country of origin. It is a fact as undocumented immigration has increased, crime has decreased dramatically. Theres no demonstrable correlation between immigrants and crime. Additionally, theres no documented relationship between enhanced Immigration Enforcement and reduced crime. Of that policy must be driven by evidence and not anecdotes. We have demonstrated that enforcement, arrest, incarceration and force on of the most effective tools to prevent crime. A case in point, as incarceration rates soared in the 90s, so that Police Officers can search warrants and other enforcement activities. We were at war against drugs, against gangs, get Violent Crime increased. The Lasting Legacy of this breed was not Crime Reduction but rather historical high incarceration rates, zero tolerance approaches, stop and frisk practices of the overincarceration of individuals of color for misdemeanor violations. Harming our communities for more than helping. And his trusted communities of color that we face today is a result of hard on crime, in different enforcement act was perpetrated on neighborhoods labeled high crime. People experience in their lives within neighborhoods. Rarely at a National State or even city level. This is especially evident in socioeconomic and depressed communities. Effective and appropriate policy and practices must understand and address life issues, education, health, housing, safety and transportation. Public safety is exercised through community policing, is best accomplished at a local level, capable of a nimble, small government approach to addressing these life issues. Immigration enforcement has created a double standard, wrought with constitutional concern for immigrants not only face potential criminal parity but access to detention without due process and ultimately deportation to Immigration Enforcement can only be accomplished to racial profiling. Immigrants have been stopped for pre questioned about the status to detain for numerous days without probable cause, transferred to the custody of i. C. E. And deported without notification to their families. This most certainly does not represent equal treatment under the law. Recidivism rates hover around 67 for individuals incarcerated. Conversely, persons adjudicated within a restore to justice malta side to alternative to incarceration reoffend after right less than 40 . Education or knowledge about society, social norms, laws and traffic cones gained through participation and inclusion is the way out of addiction. Substance abuse and misdemeanor crime. Wind groups of people are afraid to participate, we systematically isolate them, creating a negative environment where success is difficult if not impossible. The studies have shown Immigration Enforcement is not viewed as legitimate Public Safety tool and does safety tool and the assessor finance committee welding but further divides communities and undermines the difficult job Law Enforcement has of maintaining the trust. Throughout history Law Enforcement has been an efficient tool of social oppression. Erected to protect certain races against the symbolic threats of others we are still working to repair the mistrust, resentment and rage that many continue to feel. It is not surprising transit officials across the nation are troubled that the proposition a mandatory Immigration Enforcement practices that appear motivated by prejudice at all likely to result in increased crime. The time has come to accomplish comprehensive immigration reform. We must bring millions residing in our neighborhoods contribute to our economy, adding value to our lives out of the shadows and into mainstream. Crime prevention is best accomplished when we are partners in ever with all members of society. Just as weve been unable to incarcerate our way out of crime, we will never solve immigration issues through deportation. Thank you. Weve got a lot to talk about, mr. Burbank, as your in totally the wrong planet. We will get after that. There is a vote on the floor. Our apologies to the step of the committee is going to recess. We have three votes and then well come back and resume the questioning portion of this. The committee will stand in recess and we will reconvene no sooner than 1 30 p. M. Thank you. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] committee on oversight and government reform will return to order, and will start the questioning portion. We have excused ms. Hartling. Ms. Hartling, but will continue now with the questioning part and boost over the gentleman from georgia for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I would like to thank each of you for being here, and your stories are extremely moving and our hearts go out to you. I spoke yesterday with the sheriff of gwinnett county, which is the second most, is number two in terms of criminal aliens being dropped off, second only to harris county, texas, and he has Law Enforcement mention it is number two. Chief martin, as a 40 year veteran of the Law Enforcement, im ho h