Debate Rages Over Illegal Immigrant Program
Updated: Aug 27, 2009 8:56 PM PDT

Tempers were flaring Thursday at a meeting to discuss a program involving Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.

Several people gathered at the Clark County Government Center to discuss the controversial 287(G) program, which allows specially trained officers with Metro to question inmates of their legal status.

Metro calls it a tool that helps keep the streets safe, but it was clear plenty of people are split on the program. Several people exchanged heated words over the controversial program involving illegal immigrants. Things were so heated during the meeting that a handful of people were threatened with removal by security, but things ended up calming down.

The program has been in place for just under a year and allows certain officers question the citizenship of people who've been arrested and are in jail. That could ultimately lead to an illegal immigrant's deportation.

"We look at the bigger picture when we are making that decision to place that detainer. The people that we have put these on are prolific people in the community that we need to look out for and remove," said Metro Lt. Rich Forbus.

But many believe the law has several flaws, including possibly making illegals fearful to come forward to report crimes and racial profiling.

"If I'm pulled over and asked for my paperwork and documents, I'd feel like I'm being targeted," said Cecilia Reyes.

"I think the negatives outweigh the benefits with this particular aspect of immigration law," said Launce Rake with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.

But supporters of the program disagree with Rake. "I'm not here to yell, but I am here to tell them that they are violating the law. It's that simple," said Frank Perma.

"They're here illegally. They broke the law when they came here and if they jaywalk, they should go back," said Bill Shuster.

According to Metro, more than 3,300 illegal immigrants have been identified because of the program. Officers assigned over 1,700 of them to be processed for deportation.

"We want to work with our people and in the community to make sure that we are safe here, and this is one of our tools to make sure that we accomplish that goal," said Lt. Forbus.

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