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By Angela Rodriguez FOX8 News
April 9, 2009

Guilford County Next Stop for Immigration Law Reform Protest


GREENSBORO N.C. - An immigration reform protest jumped the border from Alamance to Guilford County Thursday.

The day before, seven demonstrators were arrested after they blocked the front doors of the Alamance County Jail in Graham and refused to move.

Today's protest outside the Guilford County Sheriff's office was also peaceful and no one was arrested.

The events were organized by the group Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace. The demonstrations are designed to promote immigration reform, specifically the 287(g) program.

Under 287(g), local law enforcement agencies train in enforcing immigration law and create a partnership between the local agency and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson and his office are participating in the program.

Guilford County Sheriff B. J. Barnes is in the process of implementing the 287(g) program.

Protestors believe the federal program allows law enforcement officers to racially profile illegal immigrants.

"We know what it feels like being members of (the) almighty Latin King-Queen Nation," said protestor King J. "We're here legit and we're being targeted. We're gonna fight it tooth and nail."

Reverend Nelson Johnson, a member of Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace, said he's written to Sheriff Barnes and asked him to delay the 287g program in Guilford County until the community is better informed

"It's a policy and a program and one has a choice to enforce it or not," said Rev. Johnson.

Barnes said by law, he is required to check the immigration status of anyone in lock-up that can't prove they're a U. S. citizen.

"It takes 3-to-5 days to get an answer back," Barnes told FOX8 News. "Under 287(g), I can have an answer back in minutes."

Barnes said 45 inmates are currently being held in Guilford County for ICE, on charges including cocaine trafficking, rape, and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

"There's not a single person on this list that has not committed a serious crime right here and they're illegal," said Barnes. That's the kind of thing we're trying to stop. That's what this program is all about."

Barnes said ICE lawyers are still drafting the paperwork and doesn't have a timeline for when it could go into effect.

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