HOW WE SEE IT: Federal Shift On Immigration A Good Step

Few issues can spark intense conversations in this country like illegal immigration, and the federal 287(g) program has been among the most controversial law enforcement efforts related to catching and deporting illegal immigrants.

What is 287(g)? It’s one of U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s primary partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies. Through its provisions, local agencies could receive delegated ICE authority to enforce federal immigration laws within their jurisdictions. In plain English, that means local officers were trained to enforce immigration law, some on the street, others at the jails.

In Arkansas, ICE developed agreements with the following law enforcement agencies: Benton County Sheriff ’s Office, city of Springdale Police Department, the Rogers Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff ’s Oft ce.

were among 57 , they law WHAT’S THE POINT?

enforcement agencies in Changes to how local, state 21 states participating. and federal agencies enforce

ICE touts the program’s immigration laws will have benefits. The federal the an impact national , but debate it won over ’t settle agency says more than how to respond to illegal 304,678 “potentially immigration.

removable aliens” have been identified through the 287(g) program, most of them at local jails. More than 1,300 state and local officers were trained to enforce immigration law.

But the Obama administration decided another program, called Secure Communities, gets enough done without the controversial aspect of having local officers enforce federal laws. That aspect prompted claims of racial profiling by inadequately supervised local officers.

On Dec. 21, ICE announced its use of 287(g) task forces would end Dec. 31.

In Northwest Arkansas, that will end the use of local officers for investigations. Through Secure Communities, fingerprints of people booked into local jails will be sent to federal databases. It will then be up to federal officers to make a determination about whether to pursue charges or deportation against anyone.

Federal officials say the Secure Communities is “more consistent, efficient and cost-effective.” It prioritizes which illegal immigrants will be targeted.

Under the 287(g) program, virtually ever offender who can be deported is processed through.

Frankly, we’re glad to see 287(g) go. It’s name has become synonymies with racial profiling within the Hispanic community, and it’s created a high level of distrust between Hispanics and local police. Those critical of the program say it has allowed criminals to flourish.

“Criminals are the biggest beneficiaries when immigrants fear the police,” said William Bratton, Los Angeles’ former chief of police.

We hope a new emphasis on Secure Communities will reduce or eliminate that fear. With as many Hispanic people we have in our communities of Northwest Arkansas, we need everyone reporting crimes so that local police can do what they do well - investigate crimes and make arrests of those who commit them.

It’s a good step to see local authorities sharing data so immigration officers can better evaluate the backgrounds of those who are in the country illegally.

Given limited resources, we don’t necessarily want to treat someone who is violent the same way we’d treat a person who got booked for public intoxication.

To a degree, the Obama administration’s shift is probably as much about public relations as it is about enforcement. Our local agencies say the changes won’t tremendously impact how they interact with Hispanic people - and they insist it isn’t as nefarious as some critics fear.

So all is well now with immigration enforcement in the U.S.? Not so fast. Secure Communities has its share of critics, too, so we’ll continue to witness an intense debate over the best approach for the homeland.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 01/08/2013

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