Reps. Franks and Smith Respond to DHS Decision to Cancel 287(g) Agreement with Maricopa County

Congressman Franks and Ranking Member Smith Respond to DHS Decision to Cancel 287(g) Agreement with Maricopa County

October 7, 2009 — In response to reports that the Department of Homeland Security will discontinue its 287(g) agreement with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department, Representatives Lamar Smith (TX-21) and Trent Franks (AZ-02), issued the following statement. Smith is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and one of the authors of the legislation that created the 287(g) program. Franks, a member of the Judiciary Committee, represents Maricopa County and has been a vocal advocate of immigration enforcement.

Ranking Member Smith and Representative Franks:

“This unbelievable move by the Obama Administration represents a politicized attempt to hinder one of our most effective illegal immigration enforcement mechanisms, the 287(g) program.

“The key to combating illegal immigration is federal, state, and local cooperation. This is why we believe it is crucial for the federal government to continue to support individuals like Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the implementation of agreements under section 287(g), which provides for the Department of Homeland Security to delegate authority to enforce federal immigration laws to state and local officials. To date, hundreds of local officers have been trained in enforcing U.S. immigration laws, and nowhere in the country is this more critical than in Maricopa County.

Currently, over 33% of inmates in Maricopa County Sheriff facilities are illegal, and more than 53% of violent crimes in Maricopa County are committed by illegal immigrants.

"The fact is, the 287(g) program works. Thousands of illegal immigrants apprehended for other crimes are being identified and deported.

Claims that the program was supposed to focus only on serious crimes are false. In fact, the program was created to let state and local law enforcement officials help enforce all immigration laws, not a select few. We must not forget that we live in a post-9/11 world and have a profound responsibility to secure the borders of this nation to prevent another terrorist attack. Terrorists are looking for our weakest link and will exploit such weaknesses at any cost. Border security and national security are inextricably linked.

“Local law enforcement agencies deserve the thanks, and not punishment, of the federal government for helping to address the problem of rampant illegal immigration, especially in area like Maricopa County that see an increase in crime, drug trafficking, and
other issues because of it.

Instead of launching a politicized attack against a local law official who has yielded great success with the 287(g) program, the Obama Administration should replicate the success we have experienced in Maricopa County in other areas that are desperately in need of similar solutions. It is reprehensible for DHS to bully law enforcement officials who have honorably served this nation and the state of Arizona by enforcing federal and state laws and who are continuing to work to protect the American people.”

Congressman Franks is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, Military Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, Constitution Subcommittee, and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law