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DHS and ADC sign MOU to expedite criminal alien removals
Pact Provides Immigration Enforcement Training for Arizona Department of Corrections Staff
Following up on the Law Enforcement Immigration Summit held over the summer in Flagstaff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent-in-Charge Roberto G. Medina and Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) Director Dora Schriro announced on Sept. 20 that ICE would train and certify ADC officers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions that would streamline the process of deporting criminal aliens housed in Arizona's prisons.
Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Director Schriro along with ICE and DHS officials in Washington, D.C., ICE will train 10 ADC officers to carry out certain duties traditionally handled by federal immigration officers. The ADC officers will operate within two Arizona correctional facilities to interview foreign national inmates to determine whether there is probable cause for an immigration violation; complete the processing for criminal aliens, including fingerprinting; prepare documentation to place aliens in deportation proceedings concurrent with their prison term; and prepare documentation to deport aliens following their terms.
Upon completion of an intensive five-week training program, the ADC officers will receive official certification from ICE. The training course will cover a wide range of topics related to immigration enforcement, including immigration law, civil rights, and intercultural relations. Afterwards, ICE special agents will supervise the ADC personnel assigned to prepare the immigration paperwork that paves the way for the criminal aliens' removal from the United States.
"This past July Governor Janet Napolitano convened the state Summit on Illegal Immigration and ICE officials attended," Schriro said. "It was our first opportunity to meet and discuss our proposal to train ADC staff to perform certain immigration enforcement functions. It is an excellent opportunity for Arizona to partner with ICE and expedite the deportation of undocumented aliens sooner, providing Arizona taxpayers with welcome relief."
During a press conference, Schriro noted that there are currently 500 inmates in Arizona prisons that are eligible for deportation. ADC has identified more than 4,000 undocumented aliens in its prisons that are eligible for deportation once they have finished serving their sentences.
Medina noted that this agreement is the first of its kind in the United States. "This is a direct result of the summit," said Medina. He expects that similar MOUs may be signed in other states.
"This agreement is an enormous step toward enhancing immigration enforcement in Arizona and improving the integrity of our immigration system," Medina said. "We are extremely pleased to have the state's cooperation in this effort and this training will ensure that Department of Corrections personnel are prepared to take on this important task."
The voluntary initiative authorizing state and local law enforcement agencies to work with ICE to identify and detain immigration offenders is found in Section 287(g) of the "Immigration and Nationality Act." The provision is already in use in Alabama and Florida, and programs similar to Arizona's are expected to be implemented shortly by two sheriffs' departments in the Los Angeles area.
Related links:
Arizona Department of Corrections: http://www.adc.state.az.us/
Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/index.htm
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