Media Relations Office:
ADC, STATE OF ARIZONA, DHS AND ICE AGREE TO SPEED CRIMINAL ALIEN REMOVALS
Pact Provides Immigration Enforcement Training for Arizona Department of Corrections StaffPHOENIX — Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) Director Dora Schriro and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent-in-Charge Roberto G. Medina today announced an agreement between ADC and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to train and certify selected ADC personnel to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions. The training begins today. 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 ICE functions. Today, 12 exemplary ADC staff are making a difference by undertaking the training provided by ICE. 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.” “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 Correction’s 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. |
