August 27, 2007

New ICE ACCESS Program Provides Local Law Enforcement Agencies Opportunities to Partner With ICE

On August 21, 2007, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the new ICE ACCESS (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security) program. ICE ACCESS provides local law enforcement agencies an opportunity to team with ICE to address public safety concerns in their communities which are related to immigration matters. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers oversees ICE and anticipates that the combination of federal, state, and local resources will prove successful in enhancing public safety.

Widespread requests from local law enforcement agencies for ICE partnerships served as the catalyst for the ACCESS program’s creation. Such partnerships are allowed by the 287(g) program of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes and cross-designates local officers to enforce immigration law. Over the span of two years, more than 60 municipal, county, and state agencies requested 287(g) partnerships, and more than 400 local and state officers have received program training.

However, the 287(g) program represents only one component of the ICE ACCESS umbrella of resources offered to assist local law enforcement officers. Additional components include CAP, LESC, and Operation Community Shield. Under CAP, the Criminal Alien Program, a team of officers oversees local detention facilities to identify criminal aliens. Under LESC, the ICE Law Enforcement Support Center, officers are able to inquire into a person’s immigration and criminal history. Operation Community Shield focuses on dismantling violent transnational gangs on a national level, and has been an especially successful joint venture. Finally, ICE ACCESS also provides for the creation of local task forces to combat document fraud and other specific challenges.

When local agencies request ICE ACCESS assistance, the first step taken by ICE is to assess local needs. Based on these assessments, ICE and the local agencies can then determine the proper partnership before entering into an official agreement.