Archive for the ‘NCLR’ Category
287(G): A FLAWED PROGRAM THAT CANNOT BE FIXED
Washington, DC—NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, is deeply troubled that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has entered into agreements with several local law enforcement agencies allowing local law enforcement officials to enforce complex immigration laws. NCLR has consistently stated that these agreements, authorized under the 287(g) program, are ineffective, subject to abuse, and responsible for creating an environment of fear in communities.
“For some time we have been concerned about abuse of authority under 287(g) agreements. NCLR has long argued that enforcement of our immigration laws must be conducted in a way that maximizes effectiveness without undercutting our values as a nation,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.
The problems with the 287(g) program are well documented. Many government and academic reports, as well as pending lawsuits, demonstrate that the 287(g) program has allowed sheriffs like Joe Arpaio in Arizona to use race or Latino appearance alone to determine arrests. In addition, many local law enforcement agencies have spoken out against the 287(g) program because it hinders their ability to do their job since it drives a wedge between police and community members. State and local police departments have argued that they should not be burdened by the outsourcing of federal authority that they are ill-equipped and ill-trained to enforce.