Georgia Senate Press Office

Wiles Proposes Incentives to Local Governments Utilizing U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Programs

ATLANTA (Feb. 8, 2010) – State Sen. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) today introduced legislation that would provide monetary incentives for local governments to utilize U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Section 287(g) and Secured Communities programs so that criminal illegal aliens are identified and turned over to the proper authorities.

“Many people from other nations move to the U.S. and Georgia and become law-abiding American citizens to find a better life for their families. Unfortunately, there are some that choose to circumvent our laws,” said Wiles. “We must incentivize local governments to use Section 287(g) and Secured Communities so we can quickly identify criminal illegal aliens, get them out of local jails and to the ICE. There is a growing concern that many criminal illegal aliens are not being identified because local governments do not participate in these important programs. I want to help the local jail systems participate in these federal programs so that criminals are transferred to the federal government for detention.”

Wiles’ bill (SB 385) would provide a 20 percent bonus from the state to local governments that utilize the ICE 287(g) program and a 10 percent bonus from the state for those that utilize the Secured Communities program. ICE ACCESS (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security) provides local law enforcement agencies an opportunity to team with ICE to combat specific challenges in their communities.

“As Sheriff of Cobb County, I support any legislation that requires the State to financially meet their custodial responsibilities for state-sentenced inmates. Today we have 309 convicted inmates, of which 14 currently have ICE Holds, awaiting transfer to the Georgia Department of Corrections. Since we are receiving less than 50% of the actual cost to house these inmates, any efforts to reduce this burden would be a bonus to the taxpayers of Cobb County,” said Sheriff Neil Warren.

The Section 287(g) program is only one component under the ICE ACCESS umbrella of services and programs offered for assistance to local law enforcement officers. ICE developed the ACCESS program in response to the widespread interest from local law enforcement agencies who have requested ICE assistance through the Section 287(g) program, which trains local officers to enforce immigration law as authorized through Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Secured Communities is a Department of Homeland Security initiative that improves public safety by implementing a comprehensive, integrated approach to identify and remove criminal aliens from the United States. The Secure Communities Program Management Office coordinates all ICE planning, operational, technical, and fiscal activities devoted to transforming, modernizing, and optimizing the criminal alien enforcement process.

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