Five Things About Homeland Security That Nobody Is Discussing: #3

Jena McNeill / September 24, 2009

#3: State and Local Immigration Enforcement Works

Right now, across the country, 287(g) programs are making meaningful progress in tackling the immigration problem. Under 287(g) auspices, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) trains state and local law enforcement to act like ICE agents. In Davidson County, TN, it helped law enforcement get 90 gang leaders off the streets. And across the nation, criminal aliens are not only taken off the streets through 287(g), but also taken out of the country. In this way, this program is making communities safer by helping to stop crime and acting as a force multiplier for an under-resourced ICE.

But 287(g) isn’t the only grassroots immigration enforcement program that is working. Around the country, state and local governments are beginning to do more in their communities to tackle the program. Heritage visiting fellow Matt Mayer took a long look at what states and locals are doing and discussed how they can do more. He emphasizes: (more…)