June 28--RICHMOND, Va. -- The state's request to authorize some Virginia State Police troopers to perform functions of federal immigration officers has been denied.
Gov. Bob McDonnell asked the Department of Homeland Security in August 2010 to enter into a so-called 287(g) agreement with the state, a pact named for a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that several jurisdictions in Virginia have already obtained.
The state's request is no longer being considered, according to a letter that Gary Mead, executive associate director with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, sent to the Virginia State Police earlier this year. McDonnell mentioned the denial this week.
McDonnell envisioned troopers using federal immigration enforcement powers in the case of major drug offenses and violent offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping.
Mead writes that President Barack Obama's proposed fiscal year 2013 budget cuts the 287(g) program by $17 million and that a review of existing task force models demonstrated that they are "less efficient" than other ICE enforcement programs.
"As a result, ICE will no longer be considering any 287(g) task force model requests from state and local jurisdictions and instead will devote resources to the expansion of other ICE programs and the continued deployment of Secure Communities," he wrote.
McDonnell called the denial "very disappointing."
To have the state offer help with enforcement in certain criminal matters and "to have the federal government say 'no, we don't want your help' is outrageous," he told reporters Wednesday.
Under the Secure Communities program, when state and local law enforcement officers take a fingerprint from someone charged with a crime and submit the prints to the FBI, the prints are also sent to the Department of Homeland Security to check against immigration records.
Nicole A. Navas, an ICE spokeswoman, said "Generally speaking, in light of the nationwide activation of the Secure Communities program and focus on other ICE enforcement programs, the budget reduces the 287(g) program by $17 million."
"The Secure Communities screening process, coupled with federal officers, is more consistent, efficient and cost effective in identifying and removing criminal and other priority aliens."
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Copyright 2012 - Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.
