N.C. - Henderson Co. sheriff will renew immigration law agreement with ICE
by WLOS STAFF & STEPHANIE SANTOSTASIFriday, April 26th 2019
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — After consideration and careful deliberation, Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin will be renewing the Memorandum of Agreement (M.O.A) with the Department of Homeland Security to continue the 287(g) program, according to a HCSO press release.
The release says Sheriff Griffin has determined the M.O.A. provides law enforcement necessary tools to identify and remove a criminal element present in the community.
Last month, News 13 reported that Griffin was still unsure that the application of the 287(g) in Henderson County was the most efficient way to identify "criminal illegal aliens," because deputies already work hand in hand with federal ICE officers assigned locally. Griffin also expressed concerns that the agreement created a burden on county jail and on taxpayers.
The 287(g) program allows for a law enforcement agency to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division to quickly identify past encounters or records of an arrested criminal immigrant.
The release says the process of placing an immigration detainer takes place only after a person has been arrested for a crime committed in Henderson County, and is incarcerated in the Henderson County Detention Facility.
No local law enforcement officer, including Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies, has any authority to question or take enforcement action concerning any person’s immigration status outside of the walls of the detention facility.
Local attorney George Pappas believes renewing this agreement will only increase crime because, he said, it's promoting fear.
"The renewal of a 287(g) promotes fear. It's inefficient and it's violating the 4th amendment of the constitution because it's resulting in detainers where people are being held after their cases are being dismissed," said Pappas. "This county is making a huge mistake."
The sheriff’s office is also developing strategies to facilitate communication with the Henderson County immigrant community, members of which, it says, "can often feel as if help from law enforcement is inaccessible due to both fear and language barriers."
One of these strategies will be to create a new community liaison position within the sheriff’s office. The liaison will serve to facilitate communication between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, and especially to help members of the community access help and resources provided by the sheriff’s office.
"Victims should always feel safe in their ability to report crimes, regardless of their immigration status," the release states.
Many other sheriffs across the state of North Carolina have opted not to renew their 287(g) agreements.
Recently, Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller announced his department will no longer hold detainees for ICE.
https://wlos.com/news/local/henderso...ot-bill-passes
