Thread: NC - Commissioners approve pro-287g Resolution

Commissioners approve pro-287(g) resolution
April 21, 2009 - 12:04 AM
Robert Boyer / Times-News

Four county commissioners brushed aside board member Ann Vaughan's concerns and voted in favor of a resolution supporting Sheriff Terry Johnson's 287(g) illegal immigration enforcement program.

Monday's 4-1 vote in favor of Commissioner Tim Sutton's resolution came after Vaughan brought forward her resolution calling for the Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress, to conduct an independent review of the sheriff's handling of a program that gives local lawmen federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement powers.

No one seconded Vaughan's motion, which the board rejected by a 4-1 vote.

In each vote, Republicans Sutton and Dan Ingle, and Democrats Linda Massey and Eddie Boswell voted together, with Vaughan the lone dissenter.

Massey voted in favor of the Sutton resolution after saying that although she supported the sheriff, she wouldn't sign a resolution supporting him because she supported all county departments and didn't want to single out any one department.

When asked about the apparent about-face, Massey said she voted for the Sutton resolution because it was about the 287(g) program.

Before the vote on Sutton's resolution, Boswell and Massey, the board's chairwoman, said they had gone to the sheriff's office, spoken to Johnson and viewed the mound of paperwork compiled for the American Civil Liberties Union to review on Wednesday.

"I think the sheriff was very forthcoming with his information to us ... and is using the tools he has been given," Boswell said.

"And I just got one word to say to the people that feel 287(g) is not a fair program," Boswell continued. "Spend your time in Washington and don't spend it here in Alamance County because we're wasting the valuable time of our deputies over there."

The votes came to pass after months of growing controversy.

Critics, who include the ACLU and Fairness Alamance, a local group, say the Alamance County version of 287(g) profiles Hispanics and runs counter to the program's stated aim to focus on major offenders. Johnson, Sutton and others say the sheriff's office is following the program to the letter of the law and isn't targeting Hispanics.

Judging from applause and other reactions, the 287(g) and Johnson supporters outnumbered those on the other side of the issue.

Heartfelt exchanges came from both sides, though.

Johnson supporter Margaret Dameron wished her fellow county residents "would wash the yellow streaks" off their backs and "stand up to the ACLU."

Another resident, Hannah Gill, favored Vaughan's call for a review to remove the department from a cloud of suspicion. "I think that, if there's nothing to hide, then what's the problem investigating?" she asked.

Given earlier investigations at the county departments of health and social services, "it's really hypocritical to not investigate legitimate concerns at the sheriff's department."

After Vaughan cited a March 4 GAO report calling for stronger internal controls for 287(g), sheriff's Maj. Tim Britt gave a short presentation listing a number of internal and external reviews ICE and Homeland Security officials have conducted at the sheriff's office and jail since early 2007.

Those officials have deemed that the program is operating according to federal guidelines, Britt said.

Moreover, those detained under 287(g) are "reviewed every day on a case-by-case basis."

After the votes, the sheriff expressed relief about the outcome, but refused to comment directly to the Times-News.

"You print whatever you want to print. You do it anyway," Johnson said.

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http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/resolu ... utton.html

"You print whatever you want to print. You do it anyway," Johnson said.

Ain't that the truth????? If this paper is anything like the N&O in Raleigh, they spoon feed us sob stories. I am SO happy for this news, now if it would only come to Johnston CO. (287g).

Thank you Alamance County, now Chatham needs to be fixed.

When is the governor going to get busy.

added to homepage

http://www.alipac.us/article4153.html

I am always happy to hear that (287g) is being enforced! Bravo!

FULL DEPLOYMENT NEEDED FOR TEXAS, PLEASE HELP!!!

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-885991.html#885991

One step at a time and we'll get there eventually!

We have 3,000 district in our nation but only 70 sheriff or police offices using 287g Program. What is wrong with this?

Thank you Alamance County and also thank you and your hard work " tiredofapathy"

The 287(g) does work and that is what really worries those out there that are pro-illegal...DO NOT CONFUSE THAT WITH PRO-IMMIGRANT