Alabama was the second State. I am pleased to say. in the Nation to sign such an agreement. We have trained 3 classes of approximately 20 State troopers each for a total of 60 State troopers who are now "crossdesignated" to work with the immigration agency. ICE. Each class cost the State of Alabama about $40.000. The State of Alabama had to pay to train their officers in this fashion so they could participate with the Federal Government. They have spent about $120.000 to date to help the Federal Government enforce Federal immigration laws. I think we can do better. We should encourage State law enforcement officers. and we should help fund this partnership program. I have no doubt in my mind that is the right way. Then I have an amendment that affirms State and local authority and expands of the immigration violators files in the National Crime Information Center. that is not in the Gregg amendment. My amendment would reaffirm the inherent authority of State and local law enforcement to assist the Federal Government in the enforcement of immigration laws. Confusion among the circuit courts. particularly dicta in a Ninth Circuit decision that appears to be somewhat contradictory to the Fifth and Tenth Circuits. is involved. That has led to a Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel opinion that questioned some powers of State and local law enforcement. And then the Department of Justice withdrew that opinion. So there is uncertaintythe Presiding Officer knows how uncertain it can get involving the prosecution of cases in multiple jurisdictionsabout what the power of local law enforcement is to participate in helping to enforce immigration laws. The issue is very real. Just today in the Washington Times. there is an article about it. The article is entitled "Virginia eyes plan to deport illegals. Panel suggests a statewide policy." It is being discussed all over the country. They say in that article: Other areas. such as the role of local and State police officers in enforcing immigration law. are more ambiguous. It is not clear what the States role is in enforcing immigration law. Mr. Cleator said.
Keywords matched
immigration