Last week, the Sebastian City Council voted to allow its Police Department to undergo specialized training provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Under the Task Force Model of the 287(g) program, officers have the authority to make immigration-related arrests, a move aimed at streamlining the process of handling individuals found to be in the city illegally.
The training, which is conducted remotely via computer, will credential officers to coordinate the transport of undocumented individuals to the county jail. In the past, the department faced delays when ICE agents were slow to respond to such cases.
If ICE couldn’t arrive within a reasonable timeframe, local police were forced to release the individuals in question. The new arrangement is intended to eliminate this bottleneck, giving the Sebastian Police Department greater authority in enforcing immigration laws.
But the measure has been accompanied by some political controversy in other Florida municipalities.
When the Fort Myers City Council voted against training and accreditation for local law enforcement, Gov. Ron DeSantis threatened to remove those council members from office, forcing the council to vote again and approve the measure.
What is the 287(g) Task Force Model that was approved?
The Task Force Model is one of the operational frameworks under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program, which partners with state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws.
Named after Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, this model allows trained local officers to identify and apprehend noncitizens during their routine policing duties.
Under the Task Force Model, local police can question individuals about their immigration status, issue immigration detainers, and initiate removal proceedings during traffic stops, criminal investigations, or other field operations.
Officers must complete an ICE training program covering immigration law and ICE databases.
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