Today, Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced the completion of a recent joint operation in Lee and Prentiss Counties, a partnership between the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, the North Mississippi Narcotics Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The operation netted two felonies and six misdemeanors and six ICE detainers. The Mississippi Attorney General's Office is the first agency in the State to complete enforcement action under the 287(g) Task Force program.
"Our office is proud to participate in the 287(g) program to make Mississippi safer than ever before,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “We are grateful to work along side such dedicated and skilled federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Together, we are taking dangerous criminals off the streets and restoring peace and security in our communities."
“This is exactly what the ICE 287(g) program is all about, keeping the public safe from the threat of fentanyl and removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities,” said Deputy Field Office Director Brian Acuna of the ICE New Orleans Field Office. “The Office of the Attorney General was one of our earliest partners to sign up for the 287(g) partnership during its recent expansion, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership.”
Under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Section 287(g) program, state and local law enforcement entities may partner with ICE for delegated immigration enforcement to enhance public safety by identifying aliens, lodging immigration detainers, and initiating removal proceedings by issuing charging documents on potentially deportable criminal aliens booked into the jail facility.
The Mississippi Attorney General's Office was the first agency in Mississippi to participate in the program by training and certifying all of its sworn law enforcement officers as members of the 287(g) Task Force.
