287(G) Program

Floor Speech

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Federal 287(g) program. This unconscionable program authorizes local governments to carry out immigration law compliance, threatening law enforcement and our constitutional protections. We've seen Sheriff Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona, despicably racially profile and round up Latinos in front of TV cameras as he enforced his 287(g) powers. We've watched in horror as he and others who are a disgrace to the uniforms they wear detain people based solely upon the color of their skin.

Arpaio is now, thankfully, under investigation for civil rights violations for his discriminatory, unconstitutional searches and seizures. Nevertheless, I'm sad to announce that last Friday afternoon, ICE announced 287(g) agreements with 67 State and local law enforcement agencies across the county. 287(g) scares victims and witnesses of crimes to avoid contacting police for fear of being mistreated. 287 invites exploitation by those who know that they won't be reported to police because it combines the contradictory duties into the same police force.

What's the result? A sweep of terror that's frightened legal and undocumented immigrants into hiding, undermining law enforcement efforts across our country. 287(g) programs undermine the spirit and the text of the Constitution, and I encourage Congress to repeal 287(g).

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