Virginia AG and ICE team up to Combat Illegal Immigration
A joint effort between state and federal officials has resulted in the deportation of violent sex offenders who were also identified as illegal aliens in Virginia. “Operation Cold Play” allowed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to place 171 convicted alien sex offenders into deportation proceedings.
During the operation, state police examined the birthplace of each sex offender in Virginia’s sex offender registry and then shared the information with ICE who then cross-checked the information with their own database. The joint effort is part of a larger federal initiative “Operation Predator” that targets child pornographers, human traffickers and smugglers.
The operation had the support of Virginia’s Attorney General Bob McDonnell who would like to make more use of section 287 (g) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. It would enable greater involvement of the Virginia state police in immigration enforcement, but Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has refused to sign on. The section allows the ICE to sign agreements with local law officials to help finance the enforcement of immigration laws.
The only 287 (g) agreement in Virginia is with the Prince Williams County jail system, and the governor’s approval is needed before state agencies can get involved.
CNSNews.com has more on this story.