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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will make it easier for local law enforcement officers to detain foreigners in the country illegally.
The new Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program will help them circumvent any state and local “sanctuary law” limits. Under the program, local law enforcement officers will be able to arrest and temporarily detain illegal aliens on ICE’s behalf, even if state law bars them from doing so. Jurisdictions have the option of joining the program.
From ICE (emphasis added):
The WSO derives its authority from section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, but unlike the 287(g) program, WSO officers will not question individuals about their citizenship, alienage or removability, nor will they process aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States. The new procedure was prompted by requests from the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Major County Sheriffs of America, which asked for a program limited in scope that would allow jurisdictions prohibited from honoring immigration detainers to cooperate with ICE.
“This program gives sheriffs the legal support to help federal law enforcement keep dangerous criminal illegal aliens out of their communities,” said National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jonathan Thompson. “It will not only decrease sheriff’s liability but will give them the proper training to enforce the law.”
Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows ICE to enter into agreements to delegate some federal enforcement duties to local jurisdictions after officers receive the necessary training.
Featured photo credit: HAH Photography (Creative Commons) – Some rights reserved
