人兽性交 demands transparency on Florida sheriffs鈥� plan to collaborate with ICE
The 人兽性交 sent public records requests to 17 Florida counties this week, demanding more information about their recently announced plans to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).聽
The 人兽性交 also sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to ICE about the proposal.
Federal courts across the country have concluded that local enforcement of immigration detainers 鈥� requests made by ICE to hold individuals who are otherwise eligible for release 鈥� is unconstitutional. ICE and Florida sheriffs claim that this new partnership protects local law enforcement from committing constitutional violations. Without more information, it is difficult to determine whether such agreements comply with the Fourth Amendment鈥檚 protection against being held without probable cause.
鈥淔loridians have the right to know how our local resources are being used for federal purposes,鈥� said Shalini Agarwal, managing attorney for the 人兽性交鈥檚 Florida office.聽 鈥淟ocal jails are supposed to serve and protect local communities, not house immigrants who have been detained.鈥�
According to the ICE , the 17 counties participating in the partnership will enter into Basic Ordering Agreements with ICE, under which the counties will hold individuals who are suspected of being deportable for a 48-hour period and be reimbursed by ICE.
The National Sheriffs鈥� Association and the Major County Sheriffs of America developed this new mechanism with ICE in an attempt to avoid the liability that local law enforcement agencies face for enforcing immigration detainers with no probable cause, a violation of the Fourth Amendment. While 17 jurisdictions in Florida agreed to participate in the initial rollout, ICE intends to expand this partnership over the coming year.
鈥淚CE and the Florida sheriffs cannot simply contract their way around the Constitution,鈥� said Lisa Graybill, deputy legal director for the 人兽性交. 鈥淭he law is clear that local jails must have a legal basis to hold an individual, and absent that, they may face expensive lawsuits. Other states should think twice before following Florida鈥檚 lead.鈥�
Due to the limited information ICE and the sheriffs provided about this new process, the 人兽性交 sent public records requests seeking details about the partnership to the 17 sheriffs鈥� offices across the state of Florida and a FOIA request to ICE.
鈥淔loridians must not be fooled: This partnership has nothing to do with keeping our communities safe,鈥� Graybill said. 鈥淚n fact, such efforts will discourage many victims or witnesses of crime from coming forward and communicating with the police, which will reduce public safety for everyone.鈥�
