Thread: Illegal immigration the focus of new Collier sheriff's 287(g) program

Illegal immigration the focus of new Collier sheriff's program

Posted: Jul 05, 2016 1:22 PM PDTUpdated: Jul 05, 2016 3:37 PM PDT
By Risa Morris, Collier County Reporter CONNECT

COLLIER COUNTY -The Collier County Sheriff wants to help in the fight against illegal immigration. We've learned the agency plans to renew a controversial program, one of only two organizations in the state to use it. Some call it racial profiling, but the sheriff's office says it should be a model for other agencies.

It's called 287(g), a partnership between the Collier County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement allowing trained Collier County deputies to detain suspected illegal immigrants.

“It's heartbreaking to see and hear that it's happening because a large percentage of our community is undocumented,” said Immokalee resident Maria Cardenas.

Cardenas was raised in Immokalee to parents who immigrated illegally. Their immigration status changed through the amnesty program, but that's not the case for many people in Immokalee. Cardenas says this program makes her community fear those who are supposed to be protecting them.

“Our parents are undocumented, and it's difficult to see families separated explaining to their children why mom or dad isn't coming home,” Cardenas said.

Immigration advocates say another concern with the program is that it creates mistrust between law enforcement and the community.

“I myself don't trust. I don't call the police,” said Naples resident Victor Valdes.

Valdes lives in Naples legally, but he refuses to call police in fear of the way the program can be enforced.

So far, 5,500 people in Collier County have been detained through the program.

“I support all the law enforcement in the U.S., but the 287(g) is a disgrace for our community,” Valdes said.

Sheriff Kevin Rambosk would not agree to an interview with us, but did send us a statement. He says in part, "We conduct ongoing community engagement efforts to reassure witnesses and victims of crime that they will not be targeted by law enforcement based on their immigration status."

Cardenas says that's not the case.

“If you knew the community and knew that a lot of it was undocumented, you would want to stop it because you would think about how it's negatively affecting our community,” Cardenas said.

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016...-state-n604186

Spare me the tears.......

No matter how much crying the illegal aliens and their supporters do the sheriff knows 287g is best for the community.


"The Collier County Sheriff wants to help in the fight against illegal immigration.

We've learned the agency plans to renew a controversial program, one of only two organizations in the state to use it. Some call it racial profiling, but the sheriff's office says it should be a model for other agencies.

It's called 287(g), a partnership between the Collier County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement allowing trained Collier County deputies to detain suspected illegal immigrants..."