Carolina Journal: NC Immigration Policies

Obama Shortchanging Immigration Enforcement, Critics Say

N.C. sheriffs decry contraction of federal 287(g) program--North Carolina sheriffs worry that President Obama’s proposed 2013 budget would defund an effective initiative to combat illegal immigration while expanding another program some critics blast as more like amnesty than enforcement, reports Carolina Journal. “Any time there’s an effort to take away an enforcement tool … that’s an issue of concern,” said Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president and general counsel of the North Carolina Sheriffs Association. He said sheriffs have not been provided details of the proposed cuts. The 287(g) program trains and deputizes local law officers to assist in immigration enforcement. The Secure Communities program is a computerized fingerprint system operated exclusively by federal agents who decide which cases to process. Obama’s budget slashes 287(g) 25 percent, from $68.3 million to $51.3 million, with 24 positions eliminated. Jurisdictions using 287(g) task forces, which go into the field, and have low criminal identification and arrest numbers, would be defunded. The other model puts local 287(g) officers in jails to process arrestees.


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