In early 2008, Sheriff Jenkins entered into a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Office (ICE) to implement the 287(g) Delegation of Immigration Authority Criminal Alien Program. Section 287g of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows for ICE to delegate specially trained state and local law enforcement officers and detention officers the authority to perform specified functions under the direction and oversight of ICE. The detention model program allows for the identification of illegal aliens who have been arrested for the commission of crimes through the booking process, and have detainers placed on them to begin removal proceedings as determined to be appropriate by ICE.       

 

Sheriff’s Office personnel completed initial training in early 2008, with the program officially starting on April 11, 2008.  The 287g Jail Model program remains operational today, with 18 Correctional Officers currently trained by ICE to perform limited immigration enforcement functions under the close direction and supervision of ICE. The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office has been one of the longest standing 287g partnerships in the United States.