Thread: GA-Gwinnett says immigration program is working

Gwinnett County News 4:27 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009 Gwinnett says immigration program is working
By Andria Simmons





Gwinnett County jailers have detained 286 inmates for possible deportation in the six weeks since they began checking the immigration status of every prisoner.


The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office began a partnership known as 287(g) with federal immigration officials on Nov. 16. The inmates detained for Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been charged with 629 crimes, including aggravated assault, rape, child molestation, DUI, battery, robberies, drug and traffic charges.

Statistics indicate that 62 percent of the jail's current population of foreign-born inmates are in the country illegally, according to Stacey Bourbonnais, spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office.

The program is working as officials had hoped, prompting a decrease in the number of inmates from foreign countries being booked into the jail, which may signal that illegal immigrants are moving out of Gwinnett, officials said Wednesday.

"That is certainly the anecdotal evidence at this point," said Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway. "I don't have anything else to tie the drop to."

Over the past six weeks, 1,307 foreign-born inmates were booked into the jail. That's a decrease of 622 inmates compared to the same time frame last year, when 1,929 foreign-born inmates were jailed. Conway said the jail's overall population is down 300 inmates.

"That's never happened since I've been sheriff."

"We've always been on the increase," Conway said. "I keep wanting to pinch myself because I can't believe it's really happening."

The inmates who were detained for ICE hailed from Africa, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama, among other places.


http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/gwinne ... news_81960

Arguments against the 287g, are arguments against protecting the American people. So glad that Gwinett is seeing some success. That area is drug cartel territory, and an illegal alien haven. But then, so many cities and counties can make that same claim now.

Luke 2:11

It is too little, too late as far as Gwinnett. The irresponsible commission ignored the situation until they have reached the tipping point, rife with gangs and drugs. I was one who appeared at the meetings several years ago, at the request of a friend who lived there, and described why I would not visit or shop in their county. They wanted to know who sent me!!

I feel sorry for the few citizens left there who were not able to get out before the mess, because they now also face a property tax increase, reduced services and neighborhoods that are virtually wastelands.

Shortcut to: http://www.gwinnettmugs.com/

This is just one American town out of thousands this has happen too.....too bad it is not in the politicans neighborhoods, they would surly change their tune.

Sheriff: 287(g) works

Conway says deportation plan easing jail crowding

LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway, the shepherd of 287 (g), says the fast-track deportation program is showing clear signs of success less than two months since its activation.

Posted: 9:08 PM Jan 9, 2010

Staff Photo: Jason Braverman
Sheriff Butch Conway speaks to the Daily Post about his view of the newly implemented 287 (g) program and the controversy it has created.

LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway, the shepherd of 287 (g), says the fast-track deportation program is showing clear signs of success less than two months since its activation.

Conway shrugs off claims from immigrant rights activists who complain the program is racially motivated. He points instead to data that show 287 (g) is easing jail crowding and could save the county millions, while pulling law-breakers by the hundreds from streets and neighborhoods.

Here’s a breakdown by nationality of illegal alien suspects identified by Gwinnett’s 287 (g) program since its Nov. 16 activation:*
• Africa - 2
• Brazil - 1
• Colombia - 1
• Cuba - 3
• El Salvador - 21
• Guatemala - 24
• Honduras - 38
• India - 1
• Jamaica -1
• Mexico - 227
• Other* - 43
• Panama -1
• Philippines -1
• Unknown -1
• Virgin Islands -1
*Source: Gwinnett County Jail statistics updated late Thursday. The “Otherâ€

As a resident of Gwinnett Co., I can even see the difference.