U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT KICK-OFF CEREMONY

The Lowcountry continues to be a leader in law enforcement by leveraging local and federal expertise, training and equipment in smart and innovative ways. On June 16, I attended a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) welcoming ceremony at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). (Enough acronyms for you? Hold on, there are more.) ICE and FLETC were kicking off the training of the first class of 287 (g) officers in FLETC’s new state-of-the-art training facilities. Thirty-seven deputies and officers representing eight law enforcement departments from around the country were welcomed by Wayne Anderson, FLETC deputy assistant director, Charles N. DeVita, ICE director of training, Robert K. Baer, ICE deputy assistant director in charge of the ICE Training Academy, Jim Pendergraph, ICE director of the Office of State and Local, and Beaufort County Sheriff J.T. Tanner (pictured left to right). Over a four-week period, the 287 (g) program will provide in-depth training for officers on various enforcement topics including immigration law, intercultural relations and how to use the Department of Homeland Security’s databases to help identify criminals and immigration violators. When asked about the program, Sen. DeMint said: “287 (g) is a powerful tool for the state of South Carolina and for our local law enforcement agencies. I support the ongoing effort of South Carolina to address our illegal immigration problem through stronger partnerships between our sheriffs, the South Carolina Department of Corrections and ICE.” It was great to see such partnering between Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies from around the country taking place right here in Charleston.

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