Federal authorities say local police agencies will continue to enforce immigration laws

Despite continuing criticism about the program, authorities announced Friday that 67 local and state law enforcement agencies across the country would continue enforcing immigration law under special agreements with the federal government but would be subject to more oversight.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also limited the authority of the most controversial participant, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is under investigation by the Department of Justice for possible civil rights violations. Arpaio can still identify illegal immigrants in the jails but can no longer conduct immigration sweeps in his community under the federal program known as 287 (g).

ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton said Arpaio’s sweeps were “not consistent” with the priorities of the agency.

In California, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has reached an agreement with the federal government to continue screening for illegal immigrants at the jails but is awaiting approval by county supervisors. Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside county sheriffs’ departments are still negotiating their agreements.

Morton announced in July that the federal program, which has drawn criticism from politicians and advocates concerned about racial profiling and civil rights violations, would continue but that every agency that wanted to participate would have to sign a new agreement by this week. Under the revised guidelines, the police agencies would have to focus on serious criminals and would be bound by civil rights and constitutional laws.

“The new 287 (g) very clearly lays out the priorities for the program and the intention for ICE and the partnering agencies to focus on serious criminal offenders,” Morton said.

 Since 287 (g) began, more than 1,075 local officers have been trained to enforce immigration law. More than 130,000 illegal immigrants have been identified under the program, according to officials. In 2009, roughly 24,000 illegal immigrants identified have been deported.

Of the 67 agreements announced Friday, 55 have been confirmed and 12 are still awaiting final approval by local agencies, federal authorities said. Ten new agencies are participating, while six elected to drop out.

--Anna Gorman

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Comments

[Jorge]

After the excesses of the Bush administration in all matters pertaining to the Constitution, this law is like giving KKK members that right to go and apprehend blacks for possible lynchings, and the other "beauties" those bigots have us used to. I wouldn't trust Arpagio with a pin ball machine. He has an ego to match his desire to take revenge on the wrong people. His last name sounds indian, American native and as such he is taking his "revenge" just like Israel on the wrong people. Just for Joe's information, the Mexicans were here just about the same time that native Americans were and just because Mexicans got their bordering states stolen doesn't make it morally right. Just like the land stolen from American natives doesn't make right either. He should be impeached, recall or whatever, but law enforcement should not be his job. Too much baggage to do it fairly.

[KB]

Si se puede, deport illegal immigrants. Our State is in dept (to say the least), classrooms are packed, and our jails are overcrowded. Why should we jail illegals?

[Jose]

MORE ICE compliance with the INVASION of America!

Over 40 million illegal foreign nationals (mostly from Third World countries) just walked into our nation and schools with untold diseases. While tens of millions of American citizens are with out jobs.

This is how corporate America hires Slaves...instead of outsourcing to China or India.

The LA TIMES is complicit with the aim of overwhelming this City, State and country with cheap foreign Third World labor...while Americans are murdered and forced into unemployment because of it.

[Jesus Francisco]

I hope that not a single Latino votes for Obama in 2012. These local yokels are even more reckless than Immigration agents. Is this the immigration reform we voted for?

[KK]

Does that mean that illegals are untouchable? Local jails let them loose and Feds can't deport them for minor crime. Wonder if it applies to the rest of us.

[John Carson]

"ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton said Arpaio’s sweeps were 'not consistent' with the priorities of the agency." Hmmm...if catching illegal immigrants is not a priority for the very agency charged with apprehending such persons, then I wonder what exactly DOES constitute a priority for this agency? Maybe those pesky people who carry fruit from another country?

[Julian B Duron]

Pay cost now by checking immigration status upon arrest or pay a lot more later in continued crimes by illegal aliens.
I vote for all local Law enforcement agencies checking on the front end of immigration status.
This tired overtaxed citizen that wants the lawless illegal’s out.
Check the drug related crimes in Southern California. Drug Cartels are running our streets with home grown gangs doing their bidding to keep the drug cash flowing.

[Judy Wilis]

Ling the Mexican-American Dream

[KB]

Deport dangerous illegals? It is about time! Si se puede -deport illegal immegrants!

[JSA26]

I feel it is VERY appropriate for our jails to check immigration status. This is very different from patrol officers looking for undocumented aliens.

If an undocumented gets arrested, let the Feds handle it. Should they be deported is a decision that should be made by and immigration judge during a deportation hearing.

The sanctuary movement should invest their political capital in the "otherwise law abiding" immigrants not those arrested or convicted of committing crimes.

I do understand the concept of innocent until proven guilty but arrested means a thorough check of background. If that check proves an immigration offense the prisoner should be held accountable. Remember they are not subject to deportation hearings because they were only arrested (but not convicted) of a crime but because a crime was discovered during the background check.

If you are arrested for jaywalking and have an outstanding murder warrant you should be prosectued for the most serious charge, same concept.

Joe

[Tara]

Which agencies opted to drop out? Why?

[jMoore]

ICE needs to learn how to enforce the immigation laws from a real honest to god lawman like Sheriff Joe Arpaio. ICE has turned chicken and a blind eye to the entire immigation mess. ICE made the mess for years by deliberate and criminal NON-Enforcement of the federal immigation laws.

California tax payers have had to pay the bill for illegals for to long now. WE ARE BROKE because of ICE. It is time to start billing ICE and the federal government FOR ALL of Californias illegals costs.

[Jose]

Why try to post a comment? The Times NEVER posts them unless it suits it's PRO illegal alien agenda.

[Joe]

Now Mexicans are claming they were here "just about the same time" as Native Americans...boy, no wonder Mexico is the land of the illiterate, poor and stupid, they live in fantasy land.

I, along with 9 out of 10 Americans believe illegals should be gathered up put on a Island prison for a year...then made to walk home to Mexico. Or on a slow boat to China, Russia, Iran or what ever Third world slum they came from.

The day is coming when Americans will demand a sharp turn in the status quo, and it won't be pretty.