Illegal cop killer an icon in immigration debate

Houston Chronicle:

In roughly 20 months since Juan Leonardo Quintero killed Houston police officer Rodney Johnson, the case has become a signature battle cry locally against illegal immigration.

Quintero, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, has been called many things in chat rooms and on message boards, but "illegal" surfaces as frequently as "cop killer."

Based on reader comments posted on Web sites Tuesday, Quintero continues to embody, for some, a failing U.S. immigration system. One reader commented on the life sentence Quintero received on Tuesday: "Sorry America. Illegal immigrants win again." Another reader posted: "Our taxes are paying for this illegal immigrant to rot in jail?"

The shooting galvanized the local illegal immigration opposition, said Curtis Collier, president of the Houston-area U.S. Border Watch.

He said Johnson's death increased recruiting for his organization, which promotes stricter border controls.

''One of the greatest impacts may have been directly on the people of Houston because the murder of officer Johnson actually opened their eyes to this serious problem and the number of crimes committed by illegal aliens in this country," he said. ''It was a catastrophe that actually may lead to good at some point."

The shooting came as Houston police were pressured to become more involved in immigration enforcement, a move top officials had resisted amid concern over alienating potential victims and witnesses in immigrant communities.

For some, the Quintero case seemed to illustrate central arguments for stricter immigration control. The Mexican landscaper was deported after pleading guilty to indecency with a child in 1999, and returned to Houston to live with his wife.

Sandra Guerra Thompson, a University of Houston law professor, said Johnson's slaying illustrates the tough spot law enforcement agencies are in.

"There was a lot of controversy within law enforcement for years about whether they should be involved in immigration enforcement," Thompson said. "I think the case probably helped tip the balance in favor of getting involved in immigration enforcement."

After years of resisting more involvement, Police Chief Harold Hurtt agreed to changes that opened up the city's jails to immigration officials.

Shortly after the Johnson shooting, the Harris County Sheriff's Office started asking jailed suspects if they are in the country illegally. That information is now routinely provided to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who have full access to jails and inmates, sheriff's officials said.

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Illegal advocates say the case just demonstrates the damage one man can do to their cause. Big issues don't turn of the misfortunes of one or two such as officer Johnson, but on the way the event fits into the overall picture of what is bad about not controlling our border. Logically we all know that illegals are not hear to murder us, but to look for work. But they have already shown an indifference to the rule of law by coming here illegally and that is not unimportant.

Since I did not follow the case closely it is hard to tell why the jury failed to give Quintero the death penalty. I think that failure will result in more innocent people being killed, because it gives some the belief that they can get away with murder and not themselves be killed. It was a huge mistake.