Representing North Carolina’s Ninth District                                                                        

GROUNDBREAKING PROGRAM WILL FEDERALIZE SHERIFF DEPUTIES SO THEY MAY DETAIN AND REMOVE ILLEGAL ALIENS

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Representative Sue Myrick (NC-9), Mecklenburg County (NC) Sheriff Jim Pendergraph,  and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey S. Jordan announced at a press conference a new program that will federalize ten Mecklenburg County Deputies so that they can help ICE detain and remove illegal aliens.  This groundbreaking program is the first of its kind to be implemented by a Sheriff’s office east of the Mississippi.  Rep. Myrick’s prepared remarks from the press conference are below. 

“This new program changes how North Carolina responds to illegal aliens,” said Rep. Myrick.  “We have a shortage of federal agents to deal with illegal aliens in our state, and this program provides us with some much needed back up.  My hope is that every county in North Carolina sees what we are doing here and applies to set up a similar program with ICE.”

In a release, ICE stated that “officials in Washington, D.C., will train ten deputies to carry out certain duties traditionally handled by federal immigration officers.  The Mecklenburg County Sherriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies will operate within the Mecklenburg County Jail facilities to interview foreign national inmates to determine whether there is probable cause for an immigration violation; complete the processing for criminal aliens, including fingerprinting; prepare documentation to place aliens in deportation proceedings concurrent with their prison term; and prepare documentation to deport aliens following their terms.  In addition, they will refer criminal aliens to the ICE Office of Investigations for potential criminal prosecutions.”

Further, the ICE release stated “Upon completion of an intensive five-week program, the MCSO officers will receive official certification from ICE.  The training course will cover a wide range of topics related to immigration enforcement, including immigration law, civil rights, and intercultural relations.  Afterwards, ICE special agents will supervise the MCSO personnel assigned to prepare the immigration paperwork that paves the way for the criminal aliens’ removal from the United States.”

Representative Myrick has been a leader in pushing for stronger illegal immigration laws.  She has introduced a bill in Congress to increase the fines businesses pay if they knowingly hire an illegal alien from $250 to $10,000.  She has introduced a bill in Congress that would strip federal transportation funding for any state, including North Carolina, if they accept taxpayer ID numbers when issuing drivers licenses (illegal aliens often use fraudulent taxpayer ID numbers to obtain a drivers licenses.)  Rep. Myrick has also had her bill, the Scott Gardner Act, passed by the US House as an amendment to a broader immigration bill.  This bill deports an illegal alien if they are convicted of a DWI.  For further information on her immigration bills and stances please visit her website at www.myrick.house.gov and click on the icon titled “immigration information.”

Here are Rep. Myrick’s prepared remarks from today’s Press Conference:

Today, we are announcing the federal deputization of 10 Sheriff's deputies in Mecklenburg County who will have full legal authority to identify and detain illegal aliens in our county.  Sheriff Pendergraph, thank you for stepping up to the plate on this issue and taking the initiative for your office to implement this program.. 
 
My hope is that every county in North Carolina sees what we are doing here and sets up a similar program.
 
I'd also like to thank ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), especially Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Jordan.  In the past, I have been extremely critical of ICE on immigration issues in our state, but never Jeff, and I give credit where credit is due... Thank you Jeff.
 
For too long, illegal aliens have been caught and released because local officials have had their hands tied and did not have the authority or resources needed to enforce the law.
 
Let me be clear.

The catch and release games illegal aliens have been playing are over!
 
If you are an illegal alien in Mecklenburg County, and are caught by the local sheriff's office you will be identified, fingerprinted, booked, and detained.      
 
No longer will you be released back into the public... 

No longer will you slip thru the cracks....

No longer will we allow you to make a mockery of America's legal immigration system. 
 
This program has never been done in North Carolina before.
 
In fact, we are the first state this side of the Mississippi to take on this responsibility.

And it's high time.
 
We are overrun with illegal aliens.  It is estimated that 300,000 illegals live in North Carolina.
 
Let's quit justifying their right to be here…. 
 
Let's stop turning a blind eye….
 
No one has a right to be in our country illegally.  No one!
 
An illegal alien... is illegal.  He is breaking the law. 
 
Let's identify him…..Detain him….Then send him home. 

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