The voluntary initiative authorizing state and local law enforcement agencies to work with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and detain immigration offenders is found in Section 287(g) of the "Immigration and Nationality Act." Section 287(g) originated in the 1996 amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act passed by Congress. The initiative is designed to effectively multiply the forces of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through enhanced cooperation and communication with state and local law enforcement. Under 287(g), ICE provides state and local law enforcement with the training and subsequent authorization to identify, process, and when appropriate, detain immigration offenders encountered during their regular, daily law-enforcement activity.
During March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials trained twelve deputies to carry out certain duties traditionally handled by federal immigration officers. The MCSO deputies now operate within the Mecklenburg County Jail 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. In addition, they refer criminal aliens to the ICE Office of Investigations for potential criminal prosecutions.
Using equipment and technology called IDENT, deputies now fingerprint and photograph all non US born arrestees. The IDENT system searches a special biometric database that only contains information on aliens that have been arrested by immigration or have had some other type of immigration encounter. Additional information regarding an arrestee's immigration status will be determined based on an in-depth interview of the individual.
The mission of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office is to protect the citizens of Mecklenburg County. Identifying illegal immigrants who commit crimes in our community is just one way we do that.
DHS / Detention & Removal Office
6130 Tyvola Centre Drive - Room 209
Charlotte, NC 704-672-6936
