ALIPAC: Opinions vary on 287 (g) changes
Opinions vary on 287 (g) changes
July 17, 2009 - 2:14 PM
Robert Boyer / Burlington Times-News
In essence, the new guidelines for the controversial local-federal illegal immigration enforcement partnership known as 287 (g) were created to clarify the purpose and intent of the program and provide a single standard for 287 (g) programs across the country, federal officials say.
But since Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano unveiled the new guidelines on July 10, reactions on what they mean for the program at the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department and elsewhere have been anything but uniform.
Some Republican congressmen and at least one leader of a national group that favors strong enforcement of immigration law say the new agreement is a serious blow to 287(g)’s effectiveness and immigration enforcement.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department have conflicting views about whether 287 (g) is an appropriate way to enforce immigration laws, but officials from both say the new document offers no substantive changes to the program.
Agencies with 287 (g) programs have 90 days to sign the new Memorandum of Agreement and must leave the program if they don’t.
Among other things, the memorandum instructs 287 (g) agencies to focus first on “criminal aliensâ€
ALIPAC: Opinions vary on 287 (g) changes
Opinions vary on 287 (g) changes
July 17, 2009 - 2:14 PM
Robert Boyer / Burlington Times-News
In essence, the new guidelines for the controversial local-federal illegal immigration enforcement partnership known as 287 (g) were created to clarify the purpose and intent of the program and provide a single standard for 287 (g) programs across the country, federal officials say.
But since Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano unveiled the new guidelines on July 10, reactions on what they mean for the program at the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department and elsewhere have been anything but uniform.
Some Republican congressmen and at least one leader of a national group that favors strong enforcement of immigration law say the new agreement is a serious blow to 287(g)’s effectiveness and immigration enforcement.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department have conflicting views about whether 287 (g) is an appropriate way to enforce immigration laws, but officials from both say the new document offers no substantive changes to the program.
Agencies with 287 (g) programs have 90 days to sign the new Memorandum of Agreement and must leave the program if they don’t.
Among other things, the memorandum instructs 287 (g) agencies to focus first on “criminal aliensâ€
