COBB COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

Deputies Graduate from Immigration & Customs Enforcement Academy

           

           

 

            Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren announced the graduation of six Sheriff’s Deputies from a five-week training and orientation program sponsored by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Graduating on Tuesday, August 28th were Sgt. Richard Brady and Deputies Richard Black, Christopher Shaver Randall Finney, II, Dawn Sepulveda and Thomas Tovey. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office has 12 deputies certified by ICE that been trained to identify, process and when appropriate, detain immigration offenders entering the Cobb County Jail.

 

            Sheriff Warren, who was one of the commencement speakers at Tuesday’s graduation, praised the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for providing state and local law enforcement agencies the opportunity to participate in the 287(g) program.  “While enforcing immigration law is primarily a federal responsibility, Section 287(g) provides a tool for state and local law enforcement agencies to identity illegal aliens arrested for committing crimes in our communities” stated Warren.  “287(g) is basically an investigative tool that trains and authorizes our personnel to assist ICE in the deportation process.  As Sheriff, it is my duty and responsibility to know who is in my custody and who I am releasing back into the community.  If someone is here illegally and commits a crime, whether a misdemeanor or felony, they should be subject to deportation.”  

 

            The Cobb County Sheriff's Office is one of a handful of agencies nationwide, and the first in the State of Georgia, who has taken advantage of Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act which allows local participation in the enforcement of immigration laws.   According to ICE, the initiative is designed to effectively multiply the forces of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement through enhanced cooperation and communication with state and local law enforcement. 

 

 

 

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RELEASE DATE  August 29, 2007For further information contact  Nancy Bodiford at 770-499-4723

 



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