The 287(g) Program
Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law by State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Over the last several years, CLINIC’s partners have seen a dramatic increase in city, county and
state law enforcement agencies asking individuals about their immigration status and detaining
individuals they suspect to be in the country without authorization. This issue is of great concern to CLINIC and its partners, as well as civil rights, community and immigrant organizations around the country.
CLINIC staff attorneys have been following closely three programs that bring the enforcement of civil immigration law into local communities.
- The 287(g) program
- The Criminal Alien Program (CAP),
- Secure Communities
This paper will focus on the 287(g) program. It will provide an overview of the program,
describe the work of 287(g) designated officers, discuss the impact of the program on families
and communities, set forth recommendations to address the flaws in the program, and give
advice on how communities can challenge the program in their communities. It also will show
why the Catholic Bishops of Mexico and the United States have stated, “the enforcement
function in both nations should be left to federal authorities … not transferred to local police who necessarily have other priorities and who are untrained in the proper methods for enforcing immigration law.”
To read the full paper, click here.