DETROIT – Immigrant advocate groups are hailing a new decree from the Department of Homeland Security that says U.S. Border Patrol agents will no longer be called in to act as “interpreters” by local law enforcement. “We applaud DHS for taking a serious step toward stopping the sort of racial profiling, injury and death that has occurred when agents are called in to interpret,” Ryan Bates of Alliance for Immigrants Rights said.  The call for reform came to a head February 28, 2011, when Alex Martinez, a resident of Lynden, WA was killed by U.S. Border Patrol Agents and local law enforcement after his father called 911 for medical help for his son.  

The agents had been called in by 911 operators and local law enforcement to interpret for Alex’s Spanish speaking father.

“Besides helping to stop abuse, this decree makes it clearer that immigration is a federal law enforcement issue,” said Lidia Reyes Flores, Executive Director of Latino Family Services.  

“With that it’s also clear that we need the federal government to enact comprehensive reform as soon as possible.”