Today's Jails : Immigration

Immigration Status Checks Will Become Automatic For All Jail Bookings

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:25:00 GMT

A Washington Post article, U.S. to Expand Immigration Checks to All Local Jails, reports that the Obama Administration plans to expand on the "Secure Communities" program started with the Bush Administration. This program will identify "criminal aliens" and prioritize their apprehension and removal.

GAO Report on Immigration Enforcement

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:46:00 GMT

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released Immigration Enforcement: Better Controls Needed Over Program Authorizing State and Local Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws. This review looks at activities, benefits, and concerns of the 287(g) program.

Local Jails Enforce Immigration Law

Sandy Schilling — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:04:00 GMT

Recently, there have been several newspaper articles published about local and state agencies seeking federal authority to enforce immigration law. Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes state and local law enforcement agencies to be trained for immigration enforcement. According to an article in the Fort Collins Coloradoan there are currently six "agencies that have jail and prison officers authorized to speed up deportations." They listed:

Arizona Department of Corrections
Orange County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department
Mecklenburg County (N.C.) Sheriff's Office
Los Angeles County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department
San Bernardino County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department
Riverside County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department

If you're interested in learning more about this, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has law enforcement partner information pertaining to the Section 287(g) program.