West Virginia Partners with ICE to Crack Down on Illegal Immigration

Strategic Insights -

The state of West Virginia has signed Memorandums of Agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to participate in the 287(g) Program, enabling designated local officers to perform certain immigration officer functions under ICE's direction and oversight. The West Virginia National Guard, the West Virginia State Police, and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation will operate under the Task Force Model and Warrant Service Officer Model of the 287(g) program, respectively. The collaboration aims to crack down on illegal immigration, deport violent criminals, and safeguard West Virginia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The West Virginia National Guard, State Police, and Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation have received signed Memorandums of Agreement from ICE to participate in the 287(g) Program.
  • The program enables designated local officers to perform certain immigration officer functions under ICE's direction and oversight.
  • Participating law enforcement personnel will have the authority to interrogate aliens, arrest without a warrant, serve and execute warrants, administer oaths, and take custody of aliens.
  • The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation will operate under the Warrant Service Officer Model, which includes serving and executing warrants of arrest for immigration violations.
  • Only nominated, trained, certified, and authorized personnel will have the authority to conduct the delegated immigration officer functions.
  • West Virginia currently has 88 total illegal aliens in its custody, with 13 housed in prisons who were convicted of crimes, 25 arrested on federal or local charges, 4 on U.S. Marshall holds, and 46 detained on immigration charges.
  • The training program includes terms and limitations of the Memorandum of Agreement, scope of immigration officer authority, relevant immigration law, and civil rights laws.

Statistics:

  • 88 total illegal aliens in West Virginia's custody
  • 13 illegal aliens housed in West Virginia prisons who were convicted of crimes serving a sentence
  • 25 illegal aliens arrested on federal or local charges with active ICE detainers
  • 4 illegal aliens on U.S. Marshall holds
  • 46 illegal aliens detained on immigration charges

Sources:

  • Governor's office
  • West Virginia National Guard
  • West Virginia State Police
  • West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)