New Jersey County Withdraws from Controversial Federal Immigration Enforcement Program

Last week, Hudson County, New Jersey, officials announced the county’s withdrawal from a controversial immigration enforcement agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), known as the “287(g) Program.”  Under the 287(g) Program, corrections officers at the Hudson County jail in Kearny, New Jersey, were deputized as federal immigration agents, allowing them to investigate immigration violations, ask questions of inmates related to their immigration status, conduct immigration arrests, and initiate deportation proceedings.

The 287(g) Program has long been the subject of debate in Washington, with proponents arguing that it ensures the efficient enforcement of federal immigration laws and serves to prevent dangerous individuals without ties to the United States from returning to American communities.  Those opposing the 287(g) Program argue that the program leads to civil rights violations, including claims based on nationality discrimination, and incorrect immigration status assessments by the deputized local and county officers.