05/01/2007
Deputies may be trained in immigration enforcement
By: Jason Jacks

Some Loudoun County Sheriff's deputies may soon take on a job once thought to be the sole domain of the federal government: arresting and deporting illegal immigrants.
Under the program, called 287(g), some county deputies would be trained to investigate the status of illegal immigrants who have been arrested for violent crimes or have re-entered the country after being deported. Local deputies could also pursue deportation proceedings against someone found in the country illegally.

Herndon, where a legalized day-laborer site opened in 2005, recently signed up for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program. So far, the town is the only local jurisdiction to do so.

On May 1, Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson briefed the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on the program, saying he was still unsure if his department would take part in 287(g), which is named for a section of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act.

"They're looking for jail space," he said of ICE officials.

Simpson told supervisors that the county jail - 130 inmates above capacity - may be stretched further if his department begins detaining illegal immigrants for ICE. However, federal officials assured him, he said, that those arrested by his deputies would be transferred out of the county jail within 72 hours. ICE would also reimburse Loudoun for the costs of housing the detainees.

Simpson questioned whether participating in the program would curb local gang activity, since only one in every 20 gang members arrested in Loudoun is in the United States illegally. "It may not do much," he warned.

Though she supports the program if "executed" properly, Laura Valle, executive director of La Voz of Loudoun, an organization that assists the local Latino community, said the unknowns about 287(g) could incite "fear" in Loudoun's immigrant community.

"This needs to be made clear that they will not randomly be pulling people over to check identifications," she said.

If his department does participate, Simpson told supervisors that deputies would target violent-crime offenders and not "those who are here only illegally."

He also said he still had questions for ICE officials before committing to 287(g). If he does, about a dozen deputies would receive the special training.

In an unrelated matter, the board Tuesday agreed on a proposal by Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) to have the county attorney look into whether Loudoun should file a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the state's new transportation plan.

In question is whether the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority can legally levy new taxes and fees to fund local road projects.

The motion passed unanimously.


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