What Is 287(g) and Why Should Illegals Be Worried about It?


http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/ho ... id=1344177

By Peter Gadiel



Many Americans, even those who are immensely concerned about illegal alien crime against U.S. citizens, have no idea what 287(g) is. They do not know how it can greatly benefit our country and law enforcement professionals, nor how it can counter the corrosive and dangerous effects of sanctuary cities. For those of us who care, however, it is a dream come true.



According to James Carafano, Ph.D. and a leading expert in defense affairs, intelligence, military operations/strategy, and homeland security at the Heritage Foundation (emphases mine):



Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides the legal authority for state and local enforcement to investigate, detain, and arrest aliens on civil and crimiÂ*nal grounds. Any comprehensive border and immigration security legislation by Congress should include provisions for strengthenÂ*ing and expanding programs authorized under §287(g).



Dr. Carafano goes on to say:



Any effective solution for reducing illegal border crossings and the unlawful population in the United States must address all three aspects of the problem: internal enforcement of immigration laws, international cooperation, and border security. Internal enforceÂ*ment and international cooperation are essential to reducing and deterring the flood of illegal entrants into the United States, making the challenge of securing America’s borders affordable and achievÂ*able. Nothing less than a comprehensive reform will do. This reform must include restoring the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.



Fortunately, for us, a program that can meet all of these essential requirements already exists. It is known as 287(g).



SecÂ*tion 287(g) of the INA allows the DHS and state and local governments to enter into assistance compacts. Both sides must agree on the scope and intent of the program before it is implemented, which gives states and local communities the flexiÂ*bility to shape the programs to meet their needs. State and local law officers governed by a §287(g) agreement must receive adequate training and operate under the direction of federal authorities. In return, they receive full federal authority to enforce immigration law, thereby shifting liability to the federal government and providing the officÂ*ers with additional immunity when enforcing fedÂ*eral laws.



Brewster, New York, is a community at the forefront of protecting its citizens, as it is the first in the State of New York to adapt 2987(g). Mayor John Degnan has announced that his town will become the first jurisdiction in the New York State to apply for federal authority to enforce immigration laws. Brewster’s police will be empowered to question and arrest suspected illegal aliens, and to pass them on to federal authorities for deportation. Makes you want to move to Brewster, doesn’t it?



With him, as he made the announcement, were Ed Kowalski and Bruce DeCell, board members of 9/11 Families for a Secure America. Mayor Degnan gave Mr. Kowalski full credit for educating him on the need for state and local police across the country to become involved fully in enforcing immigration law.



In 2005, Mr. Kowalski’s 17-year-old niece, Elizabeth Butler, was stalked, raped and stabbed to death by Ariel Menendez, an illegal alien from Guatemala, with four prior convictions. After the murder, Menendez, attempted to flee to sanctuary in Guatemala with the help of his father and sister, also illegal aliens. Menendez is now serving life in prison without possibility of parole. His father and sister were never prosecuted for aiding his attempt to escape, and the federal government has taken no action to deport them despite their status as illegal aliens.



In his statement Mr. Kowalski noted that “Rape, violent assault, control of neighborhoods by violent gangs and drug manufacture and distribution are committed by illegal aliens at a far higher rate in the US than by citizens and legal immigrants.â€