President Obama, stop limiting immigration enforcement

The best thing we can do to keep Americans safe is to identify and deal with those who are in this country illegally. It is imperative that local law enforcement officials continue to be permitted under the authorities provided by ICE ACCESS (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security) which provides local law enforcement agencies an opportunity to team with ICE to combat specific challenges in their communities. That is why I joined with my fellow Texan Lamar Smith and 52 other Members of Congress to send a letter to President Obama voicing our continued support for the 287(g) program. For those unfamiliar with 287(g), this program allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to effectively implement federal immigration laws. Just a few days ago the President issued strict restrictions on agencies operating the 287(g) program, preventing state and local law enforcement officers from arresting many of the illegal immigrants with whom they may come into contact.

It makes no sense to limit or restrict a program that is clearly working and making our streets safer. Over the past several years we have seen thousands of illegal immigrants, who otherwise would have gone undetected, identified in jails thanks to the 287(g) program. ICE’s website even supports the successes of this program: “The 287(g) program has emerged as one of the agency’s most successful and popular partnership initiatives as more state and local leaders have come to understand how a shared approach to immigration enforcement can benefit their communities.”

We should be thanking local law enforcement agencies for helping to confront the challenge of illegal immigrants being in our communities before they threaten American lives and national security instead of stripping them of their authority.  I urge President Obama to reverse his negligent actions against the 287(g) program and refrain from limiting local agencies’ ability to help enforce our nation’s laws. I would also encourage you to reach out to your local law enforcement authorities to learn of their interest in the 287(g) program.