Officers begin training to enforce immigration law
By Justin Juozapavicius Associated Press Writer
Aug 22, 2007

TULSA (AP) — Thirty-one Tulsa County sheriff’s officers began their first day of training Tuesday to enforce federal immigration law, the first program of its kind in Oklahoma.

Beginning next month, 12 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will be in the city indefinitely to partner with the sheriff’s department as it carries out its new duties, a move one congressman hopes will lead to a permanent ICE office here.

But some civil rights groups say it could create an environment of racial profiling, stop some Hispanics from being witnesses for the state in certain cases and contribute to the underreporting of crime.

The Tulsa deputies were joined by seven more trainees from the New Mexico Department of Corrections, Herndon, Va., Police Department and ICE personnel for a five-week training session that will teach immigration law, civil rights and intercultural relations.

“We’re committed to the people of Tulsa to work with you and help you get criminals off your streets,â€