Local, state police agencies seek immigration power

Maricopa County Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio created a special unit to enforce an Arizona law that made immigrant smuggling a state crime, sent a 250-member posse into the desert to search for human smugglers and sought a legal opinion allowing him to arrest not only smugglers but also their customers.

He wants the deputies to be able to make immigration arrests when they come across suspected illegal immigrants in traffic stops and other police calls.

He is among a rising number of local police seeking that power. While state and local law enforcement have stayed away from immigration enforcement in the past, 42 agencies across the country are asking the federal government to train officers to make immigration arrests and speed up deportations. Many more have expressed interest. Broadened powers help make communities safer. "It's a force multiplier," said CIS’s Marcy Forman.

State, local agencies already trained to enforce immigration law:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Alabama Department of Public Safety
Arizona Department of Corrections
Orange County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department
Mecklenburg County (N.C.) Sheriff's Office
Los Angeles County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department
San Bernardino County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department
Riverside County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department
Gaston (N.C.) Sheriff's Department
Alamance (N.C.) Sheriff's Department