August 20, 2010
Border Patrol Joins ICE Agents to Condemn Obama Administration
Jim Kouri, CPP
On the heels of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents' 258-0 "vote of no confidence" against their superiors, U.S. Border Patrol agents are slamming President Barack Obama's administration especially Attorney General Eric Holder.
"We are receiving reports... that Eric Holder and DOJ have signaled that they [will continue to] challenge SB1070. If this development wasn't so sad, it would be funny," according to the membership of the National Border Patrol Council Local 2544, which represents U.S. Border Patrol agents in Tucson, Arizona.
While lamenting the disinterest in the Obama Administration for border security and immigration enforcement, Local 2544 officials said in a statement,
"Now, [Attorney General Eric] Holder and DOJ [Department of Justice] apparently have found resources to challenge SB1070. This is an obvious political ploy, and Americans should be outraged [that] they actually go after a state for trying to do something about the out-of-control illegal immigration mess."
"How many times have Americans heard lawmakers, mayors, governors, and immigration advocates when asked about Arizona enforcing immigration law, claim that their police officers aren't authorized or trained to enforce immigration laws?" asks a career law enforcement officer from New York.
"Well, either these government leaders are too ignorant to hold office or they're out-and-out lying to the American people," said former NYPD detective Sid Franes.
The Immigration and Nationality Act includes section 287(g), added in 1996, that grants local and state jurisdictions the ability to enforce immigration law with proper training and supervision by federal authorities. In 2003, Alabama became the second state in the nation to participate in the program by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Homeland Security. Florida was the first state to participate, in 2002, and later Arizona's Sheriff Joe Arpaio sent his deputies for training.
While many politicians claim their police officers are not allowed to enforce immigration laws, their excuse for ignoring illegal aliens is a canard. Too few police agencies are taking advantage of the training offered by ICE and DHS.
"Partnerships with our state and local law enforcement colleagues have always been essential to our fight against illegal immigration,” said Paul Kilcoyne, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's deputy director for investigations.
"This innovative and cooperative effort allows our state troopers to become force multipliers for America's border security mission. We always welcome those who enter our country legally, but we won't stand idly by and do nothing when we catch illegal aliens, some who have committed crimes like armed robbery, rape and drug smuggling, in our state,” he said.
The 287(g) program, one of ICE’s top partnership initiatives, allows a state and local law enforcement entity to enter into a partnership with ICE, under a joint Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), in order to receive delegated authority for immigration enforcement within their jurisdictions. The 287(g) program has emerged as one of the agency’s most successful and popular partnership initiatives as more state and local leaders have come to understand how a shared approach to immigration enforcement can benefit their communities.
The 287(g) program allows a state and local law enforcement entity to enter into a partnership with ICE, under a joint Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), in order to receive delegated authority for immigration enforcement within their jurisdictions. The 287(g) program has emerged as one of the Agency's most successful and popular partnership initiatives as more state and local leaders have come to understand how a shared approach to immigration enforcement can benefit their communities.
The 287(g) program is one component of the ICE ACCESS (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security) program, which provides local law enforcement agencies an opportunity to team with ICE to combat specific challenges in their communities.
ICE developed the ACCESS program in response to the widespread interest from local law enforcement agencies who have requested ICE assistance through the 287(g) program, which trains local officers to enforce immigration law as authorized through section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Terrorism and criminal activity are most effectively combated through a multi-agency/multi-authority approach that encompasses federal, state and local resources, skills and expertise. State and local law enforcement play a critical role in protecting our homeland because they are often the first responders on the scene when there is an incident or attack against the United States. During the course of daily duties, they will often encounter foreign-born criminals and immigration violators who pose a threat to national security or public safety.
The cross-designation between ICE and state and local patrol officers, detectives, investigators and correctional officers allows these local and state officers necessary resources and latitude to pursue investigations relating to violent crimes, human smuggling, gang/organized crime activity, sexual-related offenses, narcotics smuggling and money laundering. In addition, participating entities are eligible for increased resources and support in more remote geographical locations.
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a columnist for The Examiner (examiner.com) and New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he's a blogger for the Cheyenne, Wyoming Fox News Radio affiliate KGAB (www.kgab.com). Jim Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.
I wish Washington would just admit they don't want immigration laws enforced at all. They are trying to stop Sheriff Joe from doing his job as well as local law enforcement. It hilarious when they say "we don't have time to go after illegals. We need to be going after criminals." What do they think illegals are?
posted by: JUNE
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 02:12 PM
In other words, it is ok for illegal aliens to break the law by driving without a license, which is an offense that could land anyone else in jail? They are excused for this second crime because they managed to get away with the first crime of coming here in violation of our laws? This is unbelievable!
posted by: Rachel
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 02:54 PM
The vote of "no confidence" by ICE and the Border Patrol in this administration, mirrors the larger lack of faith of the American people in this criminal regime, which delivers communism and treason to the nation.
The sooner the Great Imposter Soetoro is deposed by military coup, the better it will be for America, as the quislings Obama and Holder are obviously the greatest threat to our national security and future existence as a nation.
posted by: Thor H. Asgardson
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 06:49 PM
Sheriff Arpaio and Governor Brewer wrote SB 1070 Bill to arrest illegal Immigrants and put them in a private jail that’s in their personal interest along with their friends, that would bring eleven million dollars each month - and they failed to disclose this to the public. But led the public to believe so much crime was being committed in Arizona.
I do not support illegal immigration and illegal immigrants should be deported, but the alternative would be to enforce the laws that the United States already have on illegal Immigration which includes arresting the owners and CEO’s of these companies that hire and encourage them to cross the borders for a job.
Don’t lie on President Obama. The President publicly made his stance on illegal Immigration which is to pay your taxes, learn to speak English, apply for your citizenship and go to the back of the line.
Additionally, America “the Chickens have come home to roostâ€. You hated blacks so bad, American sent for these people to come over here and replace the African American workforce. Bush gave the illegal Immigrants AMNESTY for three years so he could get their vote. After that, it was a flood of Immigrants and it has gotten out of hand and I don’t think America will ever recover. Also, there are all kinds of Immigrants in America, but they only speak of the Mexican/Spanish Immigrants. Don’t hear of any of the 80,000 illegal Irish immigrants being deported.
Don’t condemn Obama, that raggedy border has been there for years and the Governors of Arizona knew it. They should’ve asked for funding a long time ago to fortify that border. The only reason it’s an issue now is the (11,000,000) per month for the private jail Governor Brewer wants.
A recent report was just put out that President Obama has deported over 400,000 illegal’s since taking office and the reporter also stated that was more than Bush ever did. Don’t forget people read.
posted by: mswoman
Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 00:02 AM
