Thread: 287(g) working in North Carolina

287(g) working in North Carolina

Why it's needed
By Jennifer Heaslip
Published: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 8:48 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 8:48 p.m.

Repeat offenders have been deported, agencies are working together and the county will bring in more money than it spent in 2008 for the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) program, county commissioners learned last week.

Henderson County Sheriff Rick Davis presented commissioners with a local 287(g) program update, saying it has been very successful in the six months it has been in place. The purpose of the program is to identify and deport illegal aliens committing crimes.

It officially began in the county July 1, with two deputies assigned to full-time duties Oct. 17.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, before the 287(g) program began, 64 people were removed through the Illegal Alien Query program, Davis said. The IAQ program allows agencies to work together in tracking illegals.

After the ICE program was launched July 1, 249 people were interviewed, with 209 booked and detained. Twenty-four people faced deportation after charges for offenses such as aggravated felonies and re-entry, which means mandatory detention and removal. Others were booked for offenses such as assault (16), and drugs (another 16).

One charge was for voluntary manslaughter, and another was for child abuse/assault. Other offenses ranged from robbery, theft, trespass and fraud, to soliciting prostitution, carrying concealed weapons, fleeing police and hit-and-run with failure to stop. The most common charge was traffic violation, with 56 charges, followed by 50 driving while impaired charges.

As for drug and gang suppression, about 12 suspects have been deported. Another 64 suspects were removed through the Illegal Alien Query that began Jan. 1.

As of Jan. 4, 2009, the monthly immigration count in Henderson County has gone from six inmates a week in the jail to about 17, Davis said.

The county will bring in more money than it spent in 2008 for the ICE program, he said. Expenses, which include salaries and benefits and transportation, totaled $36,919.74 since Sept. 1, and billed reimbursements for bed space and transportation will total $80,115.87, for a net of $43,196.13.

They have not been reimbursed yet, Davis said, but they should see the money any time now.

The sheriff said he will probably request two more deputies in the future, and pointed to the reimbursements and number of people arrested, saying, "This program will pay for itself and then some."

Davis gave some examples of why the program is needed in his presentation.

One subject was arrested in October for robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault by pointing a gun. Because of the ICE program, deputies were able to determine he was an illegal alien and he will be deported after completion of the charges.

Another example, Davis said, is the arrest of a suspect who has faced multiple charges in two counties. The man began his criminal career in Henderson County in 1984, when he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Since then, he was arrested or faced new charges 11 times through 1994, including assault on a female, simple assault, DWI and larceny.

He then moved to Buncombe County, where he was arrested for assault on a child in 1999, followed by four arrests or charges for offenses including possession of drugs, larceny and DWI through October 2008.

On Dec. 20, Buncombe County officers arrested him for his fifth DWI, and upon completion of that local charge, he will be presented for federal prosecution thanks to the ICE program.

Heaslip can be reached at (828) 694-7872 or jennifer.heaslip@blueridgenow.com.

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/200 ... t_s_needed

That's great news but you won't see it on the local media .

Originally Posted by Hawk

That's great news but you won't see it on the local media .

One solution for that is for YOU and everyone else to email the important stories and issues that you read here to all of your local media. I do it all of the time.

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