Immigration battle rages in Alamance County
by Margeaux Corby, May 6, 2009

The implementation of 287 (g) three years ago in Alamance County has put government officials and residents at the eye of an immigration storm. The federal program enforced by county officers has been vehemently protested by civil right groups and supported equally as fervently by local law enforcement and county government officials.


In just the first four months of 2009, controversy surrounding the program's handling and performance have headlined local newspapers and been the topic of congressional testimony. Amid accusations of racial profiling, elitists' attacks and radical liberal and conservative ideologies fueling the flame, Alamance County has become a key player in the immigration debate more than 1,500 miles from the border.




The Legislation

287 (g): The Immigration and Nationality Act's Section 287 (g) allows the Department of Homeland Security to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies by providing training from sworn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers so local law officers can perform federal immigration law enforcement functions. 287 (g) was established so state and local law enforcement officials would have the resources and authority to investigate and begin the deportation process for illegal aliens committing violent crimes, human smuggling, gang/organized crime activity, sexual-related offences, drug smuggling and money laundering.




By the numbers

145,360
people residing in Alamance County

15,823
Hispanics residing in Alamance County

1,290
foreign-born inmates arrested in Alamance and other North Carolina counties were processed through 287 (g) from February 2007 to April 2009

1,014
were placed in removal proceedings to be deported


Updated May 6, 2009



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