Butler County Sheriff’s Office Obtains “287 (g)” Authority

Back in  2006, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office was formally notified by the United States Department of Homeland Security,  Immigration and    Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office, that their request for “287 (g) immigration authority” had been approved.  Section 287 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides for delegation of immigration authority to state and local law enforcement agencies. As a part of obtaining this authority, ICE agreed to provide the Sheriff’s Office with special training.

Butler County Sheriff’s Office Captain Ed Martin (far right) with Deputies and Corrections Officers who completed 287(g) training.   Back row : C.O. Braden McIntyre, Lt. Dennis Adams,  C.O. Kevin Tendam, Sgt. Dave Rumpler Front Row: C.O. Randy Combs, Dep. Dan Berter, C.O. April Wilson, C.O. Andrew Schroeder

In accordance with the 287(g) requirements, the Sheriff’s Office sent a group of eight deputies and corrections officers to Hall County, Georgia in   January 2008  to begin the ICE instructed training needed to enforce laws outlined in 287(g). The eight deputies and corrections officers went through a four week course to learn about immigration laws,  intercultural relations,  identity crimes, homeland security techniques, and detention and removal procedures. Their training was conducted by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff. At the conclusion of the four week course the Deputies and Corrections Officers were sworn in as 287(g) Officers with full 287(g) authority.  

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office will focus the use of their 287 (g) authority on  two aspects of correctional detention and removal.  The first phase will concentrate on processing criminal aliens that are incarcerated within the Butler County Jail.  To assist with this, ICE has installed specialized equipment to assist the 287(g) officers with the processing and identification of illegal aliens.  The secondary aspect will be investigative.  The Sheriff’s Office will assist local law enforcement in determining an individual’s immigration status, as well as, possess the authority to detain suspected illegal aliens until their immigration status can be determined. 

Sheriff Richard K. Jones has been an advocate for local Immigration enforcement for the past few years.  “I am pleased we have finally reached this point, and look forward to working with ICE as we transition into these new powers,” said the Sheriff.  “Being part of the “287(g)” program will not only assist us with local issues and the deportation of criminal illegal aliens process, but can lead to a closer working relationship with ICE and hopefully the housing of more of their prisoners.” 

“Our 287(g) program will begin in our Correctional Division.  The only illegals I’m interested in right now are the ones committing crimes in Butler County.  These are the ones I feel the citizens of Butler County taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for. We’re finally on our way to making a difference with the criminal illegal aliens in Butler County.” he said.