While the nation grapples with the President’s Executive Order on immigration, it has come to our attention that cities may be offered incentives and encouraged to participate in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 287(g) Program. Under the Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act, a state and local law enforcement entity may enter into a partnership with ICE to receive delegated authority for immigration enforcement within their jurisdictions.
Such a proposal would present an important test of our commitment to providing the best possible protection to our communities, particularly at a time when actions by local municipalities are receiving additional scrutiny. We express our grave concern that working with federal immigration authorities in this manner could perpetuate racial profiling and erode trust in many of the immigrant communities we represent. We fear that any new partnership will divert our already limited public safety resources from preventing and investigating local crimes.
A 287(g) agreement is a direct threat to community safety and would hinder San Diego’s policing efforts. It would also allow the federal government to effectively shift immigration enforcement costs onto the backs of local taxpayers. The City should resist any attempt that would result in the San Diego Police Department participating in the 287(g) program. The sooner participation in this program is rejected, the better, as it will clearly communicate to all San Diegans that inclusion in the 287(g) program will harm, not help, our City. We urge you to reject any such proposal from the federal government and we will be vigilant in opposing participation in this program at any level.
Sign up to stay up to date on legislation news, events, volunteer opportunity, and town halls.
.png)