NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some Tennessee Republicans are urging every local and state law enforcement agency to enter into a 287(g) agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to help the federal government in its effort to deport illegal immigrants.

A 287(g) agreement gives local law enforcement officers certain federal powers that allow them to detain and investigate undocumented immigrants.

"The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight," ICE's website reads.

Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin) called upon all agencies in Tennessee to enter into the agreement Monday.

"We need more than strong words. We need local action as well, so to every police chief, every sheriff, every mayor, every county commissioner, now is the time to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE. It's a simple partnership that lets local law officers identify and detain criminal illegal aliens. It's legal, it works, and it will save lives."

According to ICE, eight Tennessee agencies currently have a 287(g) agreement. The majority of the agencies are sheriff's offices, in addition to the TN Dept. of Homeland Security and THP.

Three additional state agencies currently have pending 287(g) applications, according to ICE.

During a special legislative session in January, lawmakers passed a bill incentivizing departments to participate in the program by offering grants to those who take part.

"This legislation further appropriated $20 million to facilitate participation in the 287g program to make our brave men and women even more effective in that partnership," Senate Majority Leader, Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) said.

A bill that would have required all law enforcement agencies to take part in the program failed during the regular legislative session.

Some immigrant rights groups worry that the more departments work with ICE, the more harm it could cause.

"What we have seen time and time again with programs like the 287(g) program is the erroding of trust between our immigrant communities and local law enforcement, the siphoning away of local taxpayer dollars for civil rights lawsuits, racial profiling, and we have seen this not only here in the past in Nashville, but across the state of Tennessee," Luis Mata with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition said.

Davidson County ended its 287(g) agreement with ICE in 2012 following controversy and a lawsuit over the handling of a pregnant woman who gave birth while shackled in county custody. It's unclear if the agency plans to enter into a new contract with ICE.

However, Republican lawmakers told reporters the 287(g) agreement saves lives.

"This isn't about politics, it's about protecting our families," Rep. Reeves said. "It's not about immigration, it's about crime. It's not a border crisis, it is a community crisis."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/tn-republican-lawmakers-urge-local-police-to-work-with-ice-help-with-deportations/