Gwinnett releases info on immigration enforcement

Augusta Chronicle

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department says a program that allows specially trained sheriff’s deputies to enforce federal immigration law is working well.

The program began on Nov. 16 when 18 deputies returned from training by federal authorities. The sheriff’s department says 62 percent of the foreign-born population in the county jail has been found to be in the country illegally.

Deputies have placed immigration detainers on 286 inmates. The charges against them include aggravated assault, rape, child molestation, DUI, robbery, sex crimes and trafficking.

The program is called 287(g) after the section of immigration law that governs it. It has been championed by illegal immigration foes and decried by immigrant rights and civil liberties groups.

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