UPDATE: Several law enforcement agencies in Galveston County have officially partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a significant move to enhance immigration enforcement under the 287(g) program. This initiative allows local officers to perform specific immigration actions, marking a major shift in local law enforcement’s approach to immigration issues.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, along with Constable Precincts 1, 2, and 4, and League City police, are actively participating in this program. Officers are now trained to investigate immigration statuses, expediting procedures that previously required federal approvals.
According to Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen, 28 deputies have completed a rigorous 40-hour online training course, with an additional 30 deputies currently in training. The program aims to streamline immigration investigations, allowing local law enforcement to act without waiting for federal agents to arrive.
“We can proceed with an investigation into the immigration status using the 287(g) authority,” said Constable Justin West. This partnership has already led to the transfer of 648 individuals to ICE custody this year, demonstrating the program’s immediate impact.
In addition to the training provided by ICE, local law enforcement has received further support in the field. “They’re helping us understand questions we can and can’t ask,” West added, emphasizing the collaboration between local and federal agencies.
The 287(g) program encompasses three distinct models: Jail Enforcement, Task Force, and Warrant Service Officer programs. Galveston County has been involved in the Jail Enforcement model, identifying inmates suspected of being in the country illegally.
Local authorities stress that their focus is on serious offenders. “They’re going after people who really need to be behind bars, they’re not going after the guy working in the back of the kitchen somewhere,” stated Galveston County Judge Mark Henry. Officials confirm that participation in the program will not compromise deputies’ regular duties, ensuring a balanced approach to community policing.
“We’re not going into workplaces, we are not going to places of worship, schools,” Fullen clarified. However, if illegal status is uncovered during routine stops, they will process those individuals accordingly.
As of now, League City police have five officers trained under the 287(g) program, while other local entities, including the City of Galveston and La Marque, are not participating. This selective involvement highlights ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement in Texas.
The Department of Homeland Security has also announced that ICE will fully reimburse participating agencies for the annual salary and benefits of each eligible trained officer, which could further incentivize more local law enforcement agencies to join the program.
This partnership marks a significant development in Galveston County’s long-standing history of immigration enforcement, building on previous initiatives under Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. As officials continue to implement the 287(g) program, the local landscape of immigration enforcement is poised for noticeable change.
Residents and community leaders are urged to stay informed about these developments as they unfold. The implications of these collaborations could reshape local interactions with federal immigration policy, impacting many lives in the community.
For ongoing updates and further details, stay tuned to local news sources as this story develops.
