http://www.jaxnews.com/news/2006/jn-loc ... 7m3846.htm

Third trooper class completes immigration training at McClellan
By Andy Johns
Consolidated News Service
09-06-2006

The third class of Alabama state troopers to receive federal immigration training at McClellan graduated Friday, and Gov. Bob Riley forecast future growth for the training program at the Center for Domestic Preparedness.
“This program is in its infancy, but because of the success we have had … we have the opportunity to expand,” the governor told the 50 or so family members and reporters gathered for the graduation.

Sixteen Alabama state troopers graduated from the current session. A Florida state trooper also received his certificate.

The troopers now will be able to make immigration arrests at traffic stops, drivers-license checks and any other time in their work as troopers.

The volunteer training and certification will not mean any additional duties for the troopers, but it will give them added capabilities.

“It’s an extra tool in our belt that we can use,” said trooper Darryl Zuchelli, one of the graduates.

Zuchelli is stationed at the Jacksonville state trooper post. He does most of his work in Etowah County where he said he runs into immigrants every day.

“There are only a handful of ICE agents in Alabama,” he said. “Now we can help them.”

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, said the program has succeeded because of the good work of the first two classes.

“The program is evidence of how we can integrate the federal government and the state and make it successful,” said Rogers.

“It was a wonderful example of state agencies working with two homeland security agencies toward a common goal of training state law enforcement responders,” said Kathy Wood, a spokesperson for the CDP.

Most of the speakers commended the center for its facilities and responsive staff. All three classes have trained at the center, and many speakers said they hope the training will continue to be housed at the secure federal facility.

“It’s ideal for what they need,” Wood said.

Increasing numbers of troopers here for training also could help the county’s economy, Wood said.

“For five weeks, the instructors live here and shop here,” she said. “It’s good for Calhoun County.”

Riley said the troopers are graduating at a time when immigration is a hot issue.

“We always welcome those who enter our country legally, but we won’t stand idly by and do nothing when we catch illegal aliens … in our state,” the governor said.

Alabama is among three states that have an agreement worked out with the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Arkansas and Florida are the others.

Colorado and North Carolina are working on giving troopers the authority to make immigration arrests, according to the governor’s office and the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The first classes of Alabama troopers graduated in October of 2003 and November 2005. The troopers trained in those classes have arrested nearly 200 illegal aliens, according to the governor’s office.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says certified troopers in Alabama have uncovered 27 individuals who later were convicted of federal charges of attempting to use fraudulent documents to obtain an Alabama driver license.

Some speakers noted the upcoming anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

A course instructor, David Heri, said three of the men who hijacked the planes had been pulled over for speeding tickets just months before they carried out their plots.

“It give me great faith to know that at a traffic stop you may prevent that from happening again,” Riley said.