2 days ago
Curry County Sheriff explains why his department is partnering with ICE
CURRY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – Across the nation, law enforcement agencies are partnering with the Department of Homeland Security to crack down on illegal immigration. And no,w for the first time, an agency in New Mexico signed the same agreement. The Curry County Sheriff explained why his department is partnering with ICE.
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It's an agreement Sheriff Michael Brockett believes will only help. 'I look at this as more of another tool in the tool belt for me to keep this community safe,' said Sheriff Michael Brockett, Curry County.
The Curry County Sheriff's Office signed an agreement giving deputies the authority to perform limited immigration officer duties. 'One of our deputies will be trained by the Department of Homeland Security,' said Brockett.
The goal of the program is to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in the county jail. Before an inmate at the Curry County Detention Center is released, if ICE puts a warrant out for their arrest, the trained deputy would make the arrest.
Sheriff Brockett's interest in the agreement first sparked earlier this year. 'The Attorney General put out a pretty lengthy document explaining the reasons why they believe that we should not enter into any agreements with the federal government,' said Brockett.
The New Mexico Department of Justice explained its advice to KRQE News 13 and said, working with ICE would discourage crime victims and witnesses from cooperating with ongoing investigations.
The sheriff also received an email from the National Sheriffs Association with information about the program. 'I'm a patriot and I support the constitution and I support our federal partners in their job and their tasking,' said Brockett.
Sheriff Brockett said this isn't ice going door to door, 'This is a targeted effort at removing people that could be dangerous to release back into our community and to turn them over into ICE custody.'
The NMDOJ said in a statement, in part, 'Whatever decision local law enforcement leaders decide to make in this regard, they should understand that the decision is likely to increase costs, reduce community trust, and have no positive effect on overall crime rates.'
Brockett said he's received a few emails criticizing his decision to enter into the agreement, but for the most part, people are reaching out to thank him.
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