DHS Napolitano weakens 287g program…Sheriff Joe Arpaio defiant

July 14, 5:02 AMNorfolk Crime ExaminerDave Gibson

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DHS Janet Napolitano

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced major changes to the 287g program which helps local law enforcement identify illegal alien arrestees, and begins the deportation process. The program has been extremely popular with communities inundated with illegal aliens.

Unfortunately, we see far too many instances of illegal aliens repeatedly committing crimes such as drunk driving and child molestation, before they are taken of the streets.

Since 2006, more than 1,000 law-enforcement officers have been trained and certified by the federal program. Currently, 77 local police departments participate in 287(g). Both Virginia and North Carolina lead the country in the number of local departments participating.

The program allows police to investigate a suspect’s immigration status after an arrest had been made for any offense. Under the new guidelines, police will only be allowed to do so in cases where a serious crime has been committed.

John Morton, Assistant Secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said: "In a world of limited resources, our view is that we need to focus first and foremost on people committing crimes in our community who should not be here."

Despite the newly watered-down regulations, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told reporters: “If I'm told not to enforce immigration law except if the alien is a violent criminal, my answer to that is we are still going to do the same thing, 287g or not. We have been very successful."

Under Sheriff Arpaio, his department has either identified in jail or arrested more than 30,000 illegal aliens in and around Phoenix, AZ .

In fact, it is that success which many believe has prompted Attorney General Eric Holder to open an investigation of Sheriff Arpaio, focusing mainly on so-called ‘racial-profiling.’ Of course, Obama was elected in great measure due to strong support among Latinos, and Arpaio’s removal of over 30,000 mostly Mexican illegal aliens has angered the Latino community.

The Wall Street Journal recently spoke to another sheriff whose department also participates 287g. Wake County, N.C. Sheriff Donnie Harrison said: "I think the program is working great. If the highway patrol brings someone to our jail, and they say they are foreign born, then they are flagged for 287g. They have committed a violation of some sort to be brought to our jail...from broken tail lights to murder and rape."

During Fiscal Year 2008, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement deported 356,739 illegal aliens from the U.S., which represented a 23.5% increase over the previous year.

Almost immediately upon taking office, Napolitano ordered a review of the 287(g) program. Perhaps, the program was seen as a little too effective by Napolitano, who as Governor of Arizona, was often criticized for her lack of enforcement when it came to illegal immigration.

In her new position, she has earned even wider criticism for her actions.

In her short time as head of the Homeland Security Department, she has refused much-needed funds for her department, leveled unfounded accusations at veterans and conservatives by labeling them as potential terrorists, stopped worksite enforcement, refused Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s desperate request for troops along his state’s border, and is now tampering with a strong program to deal with this country’s enormous illegal alien population.

It is hard to imagine why the Secretary of Homeland Security, who is charged with defending this nation, would end a program which very effectively and efficiently removed huge numbers of illegal aliens from this country. That is unless Madame Secretary has another agenda….An agenda which directly conflicts with the interests of the American people.