South Carolina sheriffs are facing barriers to expanding immigration enforcement in rural areas due to costs, resources, and training requirements associated with ICE’s 287(g) program. Attorney General Alan Wilson has encouraged sheriffs to partner with ICE to strengthen immigration enforcement, but many sheriffs are struggling to meet the demands of the program. Foster, the Newberry County Sheriff, expressed a willingness to assist ICE but highlighted the financial and logistical challenges faced by local agencies, especially in rural counties.
The 287(g) program allows designated local law enforcement officers to perform limited immigration-related duties within their jurisdiction, focusing on undocumented individuals who may pose security threats. However, Sheriff Foster noted that the program is complex and expensive, making it difficult for many counties to participate. He believes that the federal government should provide more practical and accessible training for local agencies if they expect them to do more in terms of immigration enforcement.
Sheriffs in South Carolina are planning to discuss ways to make the 287(g) program more practical for rural counties at an upcoming statewide meeting, which will be attended by Attorney General Wilson. The focus will be on addressing the financial and logistical challenges associated with expanding immigration enforcement efforts in rural areas.Sheriff Foster is hopeful that with more support and funding from the state, local agencies will be better equipped to participate in the program and assist ICE in enforcing federal immigration laws effectively.
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