County Commission renews agreement on ICE 287g program

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2016 12:30 pm
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer

Tulsa County commissioners renewed a training agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Monday morning over the objections of more than a dozen opponents who say participation stigmatizes a large portion of the population.

The agreement provides for training of Tulsa County Sheriff's Office deputies as part of ICE's 287g program, which utilizes local law officers to identify illegal immigrants subject to deportation because of criminal activity or civil violations of immigration law.


Under the program, Sheriff's Office personnel check the immigration status of persons booked into the Tulsa Jail and notify ICE of individuals who may be subject to deportation.

Opponents say the program leads to deportation for transgressions as small as minor traffic violations, while ICE, the Sheriff's Office and supporters of the program insist only those found guilty of serious crimes or visa violations are affected.

Commissioner John Smaligo and First Deputy Vicki Adams, sitting in for Commissioner Ron Peters, voted to renew the agreement. Commissioner Karen Keith voted no, saying she wanted more information on who is actually being held.

The Sheriff's Office also has a separate agreement with ICE to hold detainees, many of whom come from other states.

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