Speak Out: Will Ending Herndon's Immigration Agreement Impact Town?

In December, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement announced it would end the 287(g) program in Herndon and several other jurisdictions to focus on more effective types of enforcement for removing criminal illegal immigrants from the country. 

The program allowed local law enforcement to question those suspected of crimes about their legal status and detain or arrest those here illegally, potentially leading to their deportation.

The Town of Herndon has participated in the 287(g) program since 2007. Last year, they issued 39 detainers through the program.

Read more about the discontinuation of 287(g) in Herndon here.

ICE had 57 Memorandum of Agreements for the program in 21 states, with more than 1,300 officers trained and certified in the program. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell asked ICE to authorize state troopers under a 287(g) program in 2010, but his request was denied.

The agency said in December it would end 17 of those agreements in 2013 and temporarily continue others — such as one in neighboring Prince William County's jail — in order to put more efforts behind detaining illegal immigrants who are deemed a bigger priority, such as those who have committed felonies, rather than going after those who have committed petty offenses, officials said in a release.

The Secure Communities program, which will remain in place at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, identifies criminal illegal immigrants as they’re arrested and booked when they’re taken into custody. 

Tell us: Should ICE have continued the program in Herndon? Will this make a difference in town?

[Want to stay on top of news in Herndon? Sign up for our daily or breaking news emails.]