SWFL

Hernando County, Florida, is implementing the 287(g) program, making it the fifth county in Florida to participate in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program.

 

Hernando County received its official documentation to implement 287(g) on February 27, 2018, and is in the process of training its officers. County law enforcement will then be authorized to question people who are arrested about their immigration status. This is known as the jail enforcement model of 287(g), and is the only method followed by all U.S. counties participating in the program.

 

Captain Shaun Klucznik of Hernando County said he thinks the implementation of 287(g) will be a success in his county, and he is looking forward to starting the program.

 

“I just think it’s good practice,” he said. “It helps us keep the arrest cleaner and it’s a lot safer for everyone, especially the sheriffs and the local taxpayers. I’m excited to get started and get our people trained and see what it’s really about.”

 

The implementation of the 287(g) program in local law enforcement has been a social rights issue for local communities all over the U.S., causing a divide between immigrants and law enforcement. Opponents say this controversial program legally authorizes law enforcement officers to racially profile people in the community, and that this inflames tension between minorities and law enforcement.

 

Despite the controversy, nationally, 18 more counties signed a 287(g) agreement in 2018 alone. This number does not include the counties that have requested to take part in this program.

 

One Hernando County resident, Carolina Donastorg, said she never heard of the 287(g) program until now, and she does not feel it is an adequate solution to the immigration problem.

 

“If someone gets arrested for committing a certain crime, they should be tried for that specific crime, not for their immigration status,” she said. “I’m afraid something like this could lead to officers arresting people with the intention of deportation instead of because they committed a punishable crime.”

 

Captain Klucznik said the overall feedback he has heard from Hernando County citizens has been overall positive, and he does not see this program as a threat to the relationship between the local community and law enforcement.

 

“Why wouldn’t it be good for a community?” he said. “From my personal perspective, the sheriff’s office is supposed to be for the rule of law and enforce the law as best as we can, and this is another tool to help keep communities safer.”

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