Deputy sheriffs can enforce immigration law
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs. ... /709210330
September 21, 2007

A half-dozen deputy sheriffs with the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office can now enforce immigration law through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The deputy sheriffs spent four weeks training with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Burlington, Vt., according to a statement from the sheriff's office released Wednesday.

The agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding, is similar to one signed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for state police but later rescinded by Gov. Deval Patrick.

It gives the deputies the authority to identify, process and detain illegal immigrants who have committed a crime in Barnstable County, according to the statement.

As of August, the sheriff's office had seven individuals detained for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. The federal agency commonly contracts out space in county and state correctional facilities to hold illegal immigrants who are awaiting trial or deportation.

— PATRICK CASSIDY