To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. NAPOLITANO’S DHS Re-Shaping ICE SECRETARY JANET NAPOLITANO IS LIKELY TO RESHAPE US IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) OPERATIONS IN AREAS SUCH AS DETENTION AND REMOVAL, STATE AND LOCAL COOPERATION AND WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT, ACCORDING TO JULIE MYERS WOOD, ICE’S FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY. One of Napolitano’s first actions as secretary, for example, was to appoint Dora Schriro, former Arizona corrections chief, to serve as a special advisor on detention and removal. “I think somebody with her background could add a lot of perspective from a traditional corrections view into detention and removal. She really brings a knowledge of the institution side, which can help strengthen and stabilize detention and removal,” Myers Wood told Homeland Security Today. Myers Wood was also pleased to see the nomination of John Morton, a former prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, nomICE special agents escort five members of an alleged alien smuggling conspiracy. inated to become the new head of ICE. Experience as a prosecutor is key to working through complex legal issues and collaborating with the Justice Department, and all illegal aliens and confirm their immigration and criminal status. ICE three directors of ICE to date have served as federal prosecutors, is working to integrate state and local agencies with Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bioMyers Wood noted. metric databases to supply that information. Once a suspect is propEvolution erly identified, ICE can quickly determine if the suspect is a criminal The way ICE handles detention has been slowly evolving, particu- alien subject to rapid removal from the United States and so minilarly with respect to agreements with state and local law enforce- mize their time in prison and free up state and local resources. ment agents under the 287(g) program. “Secure Communities is going to evolve and eclipse much of “ICE’s Secure Communities program is transforming how ICE what 287(g) was doing. In most cases, 287(g) is solely a jail prodeals with aliens in jails using technology,” said Myers Wood. “That gram. Sheriffs would prefer to be on the Secure Communities proprogram can ultimately supplant a lot of what 287(g) has been gram and, in many ways, it is better for ICE. That will take a while. doing.” The 287(g) program is named for the section of the Illegal There need to be additional institutional safeguards and additional Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act (Public review for the program,” Myers Wood commented. Law 104-208) that empowers federal immigration authorities to The former assistant secretary also anticipates a shift in worksite train state and local law enforcement officers to enforce federal enforcement under Napolitano’s DHS. Napolitano and President immigration laws. Obama have promised to step up worksite enforcement, but also The goal of Secure Communities is to quickly identify suspected have promised to avoid antagonizing immigrant communities. PHOTO COURTESY OF ICE Register online today for exclusive online content and eNewsletters Homeland Security Today Magazine | May 2009 33