September 28, 2007

ICE begins immigration cross-training for Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers

Fayetteville, Ark. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with Benton County Sheriff's Office, Rogers Police Department, Springdale Police Department and Washington County Sheriff's Office announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) allowing county and municipal law enforcement officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions as permitted by Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). ICE also announced a new menu of services, ICE ACCESS, which outlines different ways local law enforcement agencies can partner with ICE to increase public safety.

Nineteen law enforcement officers from this area will add to the growing list of state and local agencies receiving immigration training and authority under the supervision of sworn ICE officers and agents. The cross-designation is a benefit to both ICE and local law enforcement agencies and together will help restore integrity to our nation's immigration system.

The 287 (g) training, provides deputies with an in-depth instruction on a variety of immigration enforcement topics, including immigration law, civil rights, and intercultural relations.

"These progressive law enforcement officers should be commended for their willingness and resolve to help ICE remove illegal aliens who could otherwise pose a threat to the security of our communities," said Michael A. Holt, Special Agent-in-Charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in New Orleans.

"Partnerships with our state and local law enforcement colleagues have always been essential to our fight against illegal immigration," said Trey Lund, Field Office Director for ICE's Detention and Removal Office in New Orleans.

"This partnership further strengthens our cooperation with ICE and our other federal partners," said a joint statement issued by the four agencies involved. "We believe that the expeditious removal of foreign nationals who are here illegally and are committing crimes will reduce the crime rate and thus the victimization of our residents and visitors and the tax burden on the community. We look forward to continued success in our working relationships with ICE."

The agreement will enable deputies to determine the immigration status of those encountered during the normal course of duties and to initiate removal proceedings for those found to be in the country illegally. It will also enable law enforcement officers to interview foreign national inmates in the county's correctional facilities to determine whether there is probable cause for an immigration violation. Under the program, the officers will complete the processing of any criminal aliens and prepare documentation to place those aliens in deportation proceedings.

This is the first task force concept in the country to employ the tools of the 287(g) program. This local task force has the ability to target specific challenges including money laundering investigations, alien smuggling, gangs, document fraud, as well as to provide training to use the ICE Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC), which provides officers the ability to inquire about a person's immigration and criminal history. To date, ICE has trained 416 officers nationwide under the 287(g) program. More than 60 municipal, county, and state agencies nationwide have requested 287 (g) agreements with ICE.

The 287 (g) program is only one component under the ICE ACCESS (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security) umbrella of services offered for assistance to local law enforcement officers. ICE ACCESS will provide local law enforcement agencies an opportunity to team with ICE to combat specific challenges in their communities.

ICE agents and officers will meet with agencies requesting ICE ACCESS assistance to assess local needs. Based upon these assessments, ICE and local agencies will determine which type of partnership is most beneficial and sustainable before entering into an official agreement.

Law enforcement agencies interested in reviewing the myriad of enforcement programs under the ICE ACCESS program are encouraged to call their local ICE office or visit www.ice.gov for more information.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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