DHS rebukes ‘racial profiling’ allegations following lawsuit
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied allegations of racial profiling related to its 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement to assist in immigration enforcement. DHS issued a statement declaring such allegations as “nauseating and categorically FALSE.” The department emphasized that local law enforcement partners are crucial for enforcing immigration laws without bias.
The controversy arises from a lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union against Nassau County police, claiming the collaboration fosters racial and ethnic profiling by enabling local police to detain or deport undocumented immigrants.DHS currently has 719 similar agreements across the contry and seeks to expand this initiative. Under the 287(g) program, local agencies can choose their level of involvement in immigration enforcement, with Nassau County recently training officers to conduct immigration arrests. The outcome of the lawsuit could impact future collaborations between local law enforcement and DHS in New York.
DHS rebukes ‘racial profiling’ allegations following lawsuit
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday denied allegations of “racial profiling” over its policy to enlist local law enforcement to help with immigration enforcement.
“Allegations that 287(g) agreements with local law enforcement encourage ‘racial profiling’ are disgusting and categorically FALSE,” DHS said in a post on X. “Our 287(g) partners work with us to enforce federal immigration law without fear, favor, or prejudice, and they should be commended for doing so. 287(g) is critical to having the enforcement we need to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the country.”
The lawsuit was filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union against the Nassau County Police Department and the county itself, according to the New York Times.
“It’s a recipe for racial and ethnic profiling,” said Donna Lieberman, the union’s executive director, according to the outlet. “It’s a devastating attack on fundamental rights for the Police Department in Nassau County to be behaving like ICE.”
The lawsuit argues the partnership between the local police department and DHS is “unlawful” for allowing local police to detain or deport illegal immigrants. The agreement between the agencies, which falls under the 287(g) program, was first signed in February and ultimately aims to reduce the burden on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and expedite immigration enforcement efforts.
The 287(g) program was first established in 1996 after being authorized by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, allowing ICE to enlist state and local law enforcement agencies to help with immigration enforcement.
DHS has 719 agreements with state and local agencies under this program nationwide and has signaled intent to expand it even further.
Under this agreement, local agencies can dictate their level of involvement in immigration enforcement. The Nassau County Police Department agreed to train 10 detectives to carry out immigration arrests with ICE agents and to help process arrested immigrants. A certain number of jail cells were also reportedly planned to be set aside specifically for holding arrested immigrants before handing them over to ICE for deportation.
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“Our detectives are not out looking for illegal migrants,” said Bruce Blakeman, a Republican executive from Nassau County. “If a crime is committed, the officers will then do a background check, and if a background check says that they are here illegally or there is a detainer out there, then they will get ICE involved.”
If the lawsuit succeeds, it could deter future partnerships with DHS and challenge the validity of existing ones in New York.
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