FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony advised county commissioners this week that his workplace won’t take part in federal immigration enforcement efforts, signaling a stance that seems to battle with present state directives on immigration.
The sheriff made the statements at a price range workshop assembly June 3, after commissioners questioned him about his division’s function in supporting immigration enforcement efforts in his jurisdiction.
“The patch on our sleeve says Broward County. We’re not ICE, we’re not immigration,” Tony stated. “I don’t work for the Division of Justice. I don’t work for the president of the US. I work for the individuals of this neighborhood,” Tony stated.
Tony stated Broward Sheriff’s Workplace does adjust to normal federal inmate processing necessities below the Part 287(g) settlement. Nevertheless, he made it clear that BSO won’t have interaction in discipline operations coping with immigration raids, develop participation immigration process forces, or improve staffing to assist federal businesses similar to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“There was a pivot level to have deputies take part in a 287(g) process drive,” Tony stated, referring to a federal program that enables native officers to carry out sure immigration enforcement duties.
“We’ve at all times had two individuals assigned. I’ve not elevated that. We have now different priorities on this neighborhood that I’m centered on, and immigration just isn’t certainly one of them—to not dismiss the significance of that,” Tony stated.
Tony advised commissioners his deputies would proceed to pursue anybody who breaks the regulation no matter nationality, however rejected the concept of focusing on unlawful aliens solely for his or her immigration standing.
“I don’t care what nation you’re from—in the event you commit against the law on this county, I’m coming for you,” he stated.
“However what I refuse to do is take this notion that we must be knocking on doorways or arresting youngsters or going into daycare facilities or eating places and snatching individuals off the streets who’ve been paying taxes and contributing to this society.”
