GREENE COUNTY, Va. — Greene County Sheriff Steven Smith said his office will continue participating in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program amid public discussion over the department’s involvement.
In a Facebook statement, Smith said the sheriff’s office will continue cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing public safety and his responsibility to enforce the law.
In the statement, Smith said several individuals arrested by his office were examples of people removed from the community through its participation in the program.
The sheriff’s office described the individuals as criminals but did not provide details in the statement about their charges, convictions or immigration cases…