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Brooke Walker ReportingUtah police officers doubling as immigration agents? The arrest of three Mexican nationals in a recent drug bust has renewed debate about which agency is most responsible to combat crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
The US Immigration and Custom Enforcement, or ICE, once known as the INS, actually offers a program that allows local and state officers to train as ICE agents. That training would give police the authority to enforce federal immigration laws.
Many immigration reform advocates feel the program is a step in the right direction and could help reduce crime in Utah, but Salt Lake officials don't agree.
Tuesday night, SWAT teams exploded their way into a West Valley house. Inside they found thousands of dollars worth of heroin and cocaine. Police arrested three undocumented Mexican nationals. One had already been arrested and deported before, but re-entered the United States and is now back in jail.
Immediately, KSL message boards filled up, and many of you asked exactly how police handle illegal suspects.
Joe Cyr, Salt Lake City Police: "The average patrol officer is not concerned with INS or ICE issues; we are concerned with helping victims of crime and with preventing crime locally."
It's a debate that was red hot about eight years ago. The city council voted, four to three, not to deputize Salt Lake Police officers as immigration agents, a decision strongly supported by Mayor Rocky Anderson.
Mayor Rocky Anderson: "It is not local police officers' job to enforce federal immigration ads."
Three years later he re-emphasized that opinion by announcing INS agents would no longer be allowed to ride along with patrol officers, on any case.
Mayor Rocky Anderson: "Everybody in our community - whether you're a citizen, whether you're a resident, whether you're a visitor, whether you're a commuter - everybody can trust police." Mayor, Salt Lake City
At first, even police didn't agree with the Mayor's move, but now they say they understand.
Joe Cyr: "We want the victim of any crime, or anybody who needs police help, to not fear calling the police department. WE are here to help them. We are not here to deport them."
However, some feel anything illegal should fall under the umbrella of local law, especially immigration.
Bob Wren, Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement: "If they can get more people involved in the process, and get local enforcement that can help enforce immigration laws, it will be a great step to correcting the problem."
ICE agents do scour the county jails daily and a large number of deportations happen as a result of those checks. However, many cities in other states have opted to give the power to police, including agencies in California and Arizona.
