MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — The revival of an old, controversial immigration enforcement program is drawing sharp criticism. It’s called 287(g) and basically lets local law enforcement act as immigration officers in certain situations. Six Arizona law enforcement agencies have signed up, including Mesa police.
Under the 287(g) program, ICE can partner with local agencies through three models. They are the Jail Enforcement model, the Task Force model and the Warrant Service Officer program. While it’s not new, it was revived this year as part of the Trump administration’s push to carry out mass deportations.
Tensions in Arizona are flaring as the Department of Homeland Security takes new steps to ramp up deportations. Last week, ICE agents were seen outside an immigration court in downtown Phoenix making arrests. It’s a scene we could continue to see under the ICE 287(g) program, which allows officers to interrogate immigrants in their custody and detain them for potential deportation…