June 18, 2008, 12:29AM
Harris County jailers will train at ICE center
Nine will learn to screen for those suspected of being in the U.S. illegally


By SUSAN CARROLL
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle



The Harris County Sheriff's Office plans to send nine jailers to Glynco, Ga., in August for special immigration training that will allow them to question inmates about their immigration status and hold them for federal agents, officials said Tuesday.

The jailers assigned to the Harris County's Inmate Processing Center will spend four weeks learning about immigration law through Immigration and Customs Enforcement's "287 (g)" program, Sheriff Tommy Thomas said. The program is named after the 1996 law that allows local law enforcement with specialized training to question and hold suspected illegal immigrants for ICE officials.

Thomas originally sought to have the training in Houston, but said Tuesday he decided to send the jailers to ICE's Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. Through the 287 (g) program, Thomas said he hopes to eventually cut crime in Harris County by assisting immigration officials with screening suspected illegal immigrants.

The training is provided by ICE at no cost, but local governments are expected to pay for travel expenses. The estimated cost for Harris County was not available late Tuesday afternoon. Capt. John Martin added that Thomas still hopes to convince federal officials to provide training in Houston, possibly at the sheriff's academy.

The sheriff's office joins at least 34 law enforcement departments that have undergone the training.

susan.carroll@chron.com






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