Over 500 Organizations Demand White House End Flawed State And Local Immigration Enforcement Program

"The 287(g) program encourages racial profiling, diverts scarce police resources and puts everyone's safety at risk," said Omar Jadwat, a staff attorney with the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project. "State and local police should not be transformed into federal immigration agents – particularly through a program known for cursory oversight and insufficient training. President Obama should end the program immediately."

Local organizations that signed the letter will host vigils, marches and other activities across the country today and tomorrow condemning the administration's decision to expand the 287(g) program and asking that the administration terminate the program.

Since its inception, the 287(g) program has drawn sharp criticism from federal officials, law enforcement and community groups because it has led to illegal racial profiling and civil rights abuses, including the unlawful detention and deportation of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, while diverting scarce resources from traditional local law enforcement functions and distorting immigration enforcement priorities.