Immigration Enforcement Relies on Local Law Agencies, An Overview

Mar 17, 2010

National Immigration Law Center

The Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is responsible for arresting and detaining over 380,000 individuals each year. In order to catch more people suspected of immigration violations, ICE relies on arrangements with local law enforcement agencies.

Local law enforcement officials are charged with protecting the safety of the communities under their jurisdiction. The ICE ACCESS programs in which they participate lack oversight and leave communities vulnerable to racial profiling. ICE claims that its programs focus on "dangerous criminals," but in reality the majority of individuals apprehended through these programs are noncriminal and do not pose a risk to public safety.

This overview by the National Immigration Law Center examines the three ICE ACCESS programs that contribute to this serious problem. ICE ACCESS programs permit discrimination and deny justice to immigrants in our communities. PDF Version