Pinal County Sheriff Launches Formal Partnership With ICE to Enforce Immigration Law
Pinal County in Arizona has taken a significant step in local law enforcement by partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This alliance allows sheriff’s deputies to enforce federal immigration laws, a move that demonstrates a growing concern over border security and illegal immigration in the state.
The new agreement comes under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, empowering state and local law enforcement to handle certain immigration enforcement tasks under ICE’s guidance. With this partnership, deputies are now in a stronger position to assist in identifying and detaining individuals residing unlawfully in the country.
“This office will do everything in its power to protect this community from these predators,” stated Sheriff Mark Lamb, who has a strong commitment to addressing border security issues. His support for this initiative underscores a long-standing call for improved cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies.
Under the 287(g) model, only trained volunteers from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will carry out these duties. They will receive training from ICE and will be closely monitored to ensure compliance with federal policies and civil rights standards. These deputies will have direct access to federal databases and will work on the front lines to ascertain the immigration status of individuals who have already been arrested for local offenses.
The decision to adopt this partnership comes as a direct response to the escalating challenges posed by illegal immigration, particularly in Pinal County. Assessments of local crime show that the county has turned into a major conduit for drug trafficking and human smuggling activities. Last year marked a record high in immigrant smuggling incidents in the area, underlining the pressing need for enhanced enforcement measures.
“What we see in Pinal is the effect of failed federal enforcement at the border reaching deep into American communities,” remarked an unnamed department source. This highlights perceived inadequacies in federal immigration policy and the tangible impacts felt at the local level. There is clear concern that the continuous influx of illegal migrants poses a risk to public safety.
The 287(g) Jail Enforcement Model allows trained deputies to question individuals already detained for local crimes. This means that instead of proactively patrolling for unauthorized immigrants, they will focus on those in custody, specifically targeting those suspected of being in the country unlawfully. If an individual is found lacking legal status, deputies can issue immigration detainers and alert ICE, thus starting the process for potential deportation.
While supporters of this initiative hail it as a necessary step toward restoring law and order, critics question the potential for racial profiling and erosion of trust between police and immigrant communities. This debate reflects the broader national discourse on immigration enforcement and its implications.
ICE officials view the collaboration in Pinal County as a critical enhancement of their enforcement strategy. Statistics show that the 287(g) program facilitated the removal of over 10,000 individuals with criminal histories in fiscal year 2023 alone. Offenses commonly linked to these removals include assault, drug trafficking, and identity theft, painting a stark picture of the types of crimes associated with illegal immigration.
As of 2024, 137 law enforcement agencies across 22 states are part of the 287(g) program, with Arizona being a leader in federal immigration enforcement, particularly in border-adjacent counties. This proactive stance reflects the state’s approach to managing the challenges posed by illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
The initiative by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has garnered admiration from national advocates for stricter immigration policies. A tweet celebrating the sheriff’s decision emphasized a commitment to public safety, marking Pinal County as a model for other jurisdictions striving for effective enforcement.
Sheriff Lamb emphasized that this partnership centers on security rather than political motivations. He made it clear: “We are not targeting people based on where they’re from. We’re going after criminals who don’t belong here.” This assertion illustrates the sheriff’s intent to focus on individuals who pose threats to community safety, rather than lumping all immigrants into a single category.
Reports from law enforcement indicate that increasing illegal migration has strained local resources. In just over a year, deputies engaged in over 240 pursuits related to unauthorized migration, illustrating the direct challenges faced by law enforcement. Incidents of drivers abandoning vehicles loaded with illegal migrants have led to dangerous situations, including crashes and injuries.
Local discussions further reveal concerns about drug cartels exploiting Pinal County’s rural landscape to transport contraband, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. Public records show that significant quantities of these narcotics have been seized during law enforcement operations involving noncitizens. Such developments accentuate the urgent need for a coordinated approach to immigration and drug enforcement.
Deputies working under the 287(g) framework create more reliable links between local authorities and ICE, improving coordination on deportation processes. Without these partnerships, ICE officials have noted challenges in detaining criminal immigrants before their release, heightening community risks.
The exact number of detainers issued in Pinal County remains to be seen, but data from other counties suggests that the figures may escalate quickly. For instance, a similar program in Gwinnett County, Georgia, saw over 1,000 detainers issued in just its first year of participation. Such examples indicate that Pinal County could witness hundreds of removals yearly, focusing on those with criminal backgrounds or multiple immigration violations.
Going forward, Sheriff Lamb envisions this partnership as part of a broader, long-term strategy to enhance community safety. “We’ll keep working with ICE, with Border Patrol, and anyone willing to help keep our communities safe,” he affirmed. His comments reflect a strong commitment to law enforcement collaboration in tackling immigration enforcement challenges.
As immigration policy continues to generate strong opinions nationwide, Pinal County’s actions will likely influence future practices in local immigration enforcement. For now, residents await the outcomes of this new partnership and its effectiveness in addressing the ongoing challenges posed by illegal immigration.
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