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Deputies training to detain, deport illegal immigrants
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office deputies are now being taught how to identify and detain illegal immigrants.On June 17, Sheriff Steve Simpson announced that his department had formally entered into a "287(g)" agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. He said three of his gang investigators are now in South Carolina taking part in a four-week training program.
As part of the agreement, his department also will be given access to a federal database that tracks people in the country illegally. He said only people who are taken into custody for a suspected crime will be checked through the system.
"This is going to be a big tool for us," Simpson told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
About 50 jurisdictions across the country -- including Herndon and Prince William County -- are involved in the 287(g) program, which is named for a section of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. After going through the training, Loudoun deputies will be able to start the deportation process of illegal immigrants detained in the county.
"I would certainly hope we do not get into a racial profiling situation," cautioned Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) following Simpson's announcement in Leesburg.
Simpson told Burton that his department has "never condoned" profiling. He also said only serious felons who are in the country illegally will be turned over to ICE.
"This is not something that gives us the authority to knock on doors and ask, 'Are you here illegally?'" he said. "We're trying to get the worst of the worst."
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
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