Over 300 individuals were arrested between July 6 and 10 in Palm Beach County for alleged immigration violations. The four-day immigration enforcement operation was conducted in accord with the federal 287(g) program.
The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement officials to work in tandem with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some 100 personnel participated in the July operation in Palm Beach County.
According to Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement Executive Director Anthony Coker, the Palm Beach County operation is a model for implementing 287(g) agreements. Participating in the recent operation were: ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Florida Highway Patrol’s Criminal Alien Apprehension Team and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Logistical and operational support were provided by the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard.
Coker praised the multi-agency campaign, stating, “The operation that just concluded in Palm Beach County demonstrates just how effective 287(g) agreements can be when federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies join together.” Miami Sector U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jeffrey Dinise added, “Our nation and the State of Florida is safer when law enforcement partners work together to remove criminals from our local communities.”
Authorities have not released how many of the 309 arrested had previously been deported from the U.S. and then allegedly illegally re-entered the country. The number of those arrested who have criminal records, including crimes of burglary, battery, domestic violence, narcotics offenses, fraud, driving under the influence and the like, also was not disclosed. Although few details have been released, authorities said that one arrestee appears in federal databases as “a known or suspected terrorist” and is “identified as a possible member of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua”.
What Is a 287(g) Agreement?
Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides for written agreements that delegate to state and local law enforcement officers specific federal immigration officer functions, creating formal partnerships between ICE and state and/or local law enforcement agencies.
Proponents of 287(g) contend that the program strengthens public safety, helping to identify and remove individuals who are in the U.S. illegally. Critics argue that 287(g) agreements strain trust and relations between law enforcement and immigrants and discourage victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement.
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