CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Local activists on both sides of the immigration issue spoke out at Tuesday night’s Mecklenburg County Commissioners meeting.
Some spoke in favor of keeping the 287 (g) act, a program that allows certain deputies to act as immigration agents. Others, on the other hand, called on the commission to change the controversial law.
“To claim that undocumented immigrants are felons by virtue of being here is dangerous, it’s racist,” said an immigration attorney, who opposes the law.
“If the sheriff’s department drops the 287 (g) program, the question is how long would it take before Mecklenburg [County] becomes a sanctuary community,” said a former law enforcement agent who supports it.
The program began back in 2006. It gives specially-trained deputies the authority to act as immigration officers, interrogating any person they believe is an immigrant.
To date, more than 15,000 inmates locally, have been processed for deportation.
“I think we’re experiencing a program that is definitely targeting the most vulnerable in our community,” Stefania Arteaga explained.
But Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael said last week that “it doesn’t target anyone.”
Many showed pictures and told stories of families ripped apart as a result of this law.
But supporters of it believe it’s just a consequence of breaking the law.
“Activists say 287 (g) tears families apart. I’ll say to you... when someone makes the decision to break the law, there’s always the potential for that to happen,” said one man.
The commissioners did not take any action Tuesday. They are expected to discuss with the sheriff in the coming days.