4 R.I. troopers to receive ICE training

01:00 AM EST on Friday, November 20, 2009

By Karen Lee Ziner

Journal Staff Writer

Four Rhode Island state troopers will be deputized with immigration powers by early 2010, nearly two years after Governor Carcieri sought the state-federal partnership, and during the waning months of his administration.

Carcieri’s directive that state police and corrections authorities pursue the controversial, so-called 287(g) program is a linchpin of his March 2008 executive order cracking down on illegal immigration.

By a Memorandum of Agreement signed last month with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the four troopers must pass federal background checks before their 25-day training sessions in January and February in South Carolina.

If all goes well, the program will begin after the first two troopers finish training in January and technology is installed, said Capt. David Neill, department spokesman. ICE spokesman Michael Gilhooly said a ranking ICE field manager makes the final determination.

Training will include enforcement of federal immigration laws and policies, the scope of powers pursuant to the agreement and civil-rights and civil-liberties practices. The officers must also pass an exam before they can be certified.

State police Col. Brendan P. Doherty has said the focus “will be on those illegal aliens who are engaged in criminal activity.â€