The Moniter, 8/31/2009
Many Rio Grande Valley law enforcement officers cringe when someone talks about working with the federal government to identify and arrest illegal immigrants.
But when U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano brought up the idea during an Aug. 11 speech in El Paso, some Valley peace officers listened.
The law in question, Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Sixty-three local law enforcement agencies throughout the country partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to designate officers who can enforce federal immigration laws.
Mexico Institute 