RI State Police to enforce immigration law
Published: August 5, 2009
Updated: August 5, 2009
PROVIDENCE—State police detectives will function as federal agents with the power to arrest immigration violators under an agreement that’s part of Gov. Don Carcieri’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.
The deal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announced Wednesday, will allow the four detectives to become immigration officers. Once trained, the detectives can arrest illegal immigrants for immigration offenses so long as the targets are suspected of involvement in serious crimes, gangs, smuggling or trafficking.
“The focus will be on those illegal aliens who are engaged in criminal activity,“ State Police Superintendent Brendan Doherty said in a written statement.
It was unclear when the Rhode Island program will begin. Training the officers typically takes four weeks.
The state Department of Corrections reached a similar agreement this summer allowing it to identify illegal immigrants in state custody for possible deportation.
The U.S. government has agreements with 79 agencies, which includes prisons, state police, sheriff’s offices and local police departments.
Carcieri, a Republican, signed an executive order last year requiring the State Police and prison system to seek the authority to enforce federal immigration law. His order also forces the state government and companies doing business with the state to verify the immigration statuses of new hires using a federal database.
In a written statement, Carcieri said he applauds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for expanding its relationships with state prisons and local police.
Religious leaders in the state, immigration advocates and members of Carcieri’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs have criticized the executive order, saying it could sow mistrust between police and the public and lead to racial profiling.
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Reader Reactions
...you know what’s really sad….The SENIOR CITIZENS of this country are losing their health insurance so the LIBERAL SOCIALIST PARTY (Democrats) can insure 17 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. They are taking the insurance away from THE GREATEST GENERATION and giving it to the ILLEGAL GENERATION…..this is the saddest thing I have ever witnessed in my life.
Let me say this…..for the first time in my life I am ASHAMED of my country!!
I have nothing but RESPECT for all veterans but I have a great deal of respect for both the MEN and the WOMEN of this generation…..they changed the world; and look what this gov’t is doing to them. Stripping them of their dignity like they do not even exist anymore. The gov’t wants the elderly to accept end-of-life counseling in this bill…..WHAT!! That’s GOV’T ASSISTED SUICIDE…that’s your parents & grandparents. We are next….
We still have the FIRST AMENDMENT….save your country and your loved ones…..long live TOWN HALL MEETINGS!!
The 2010 elections are just around the corner…..D-DAY my friends…..
Writing to our “representatives” seems to be a good idea in the illegal immigrant status - those who bleed the school systems, health care systems and social services systems, but I can tell you what they will say ... “we have a difference of opinion”. Just who is “we”? Kennedy certainly wasn’t representing me in any of his votes. We have to make it clear, and STICK TO THE DECISION not to vote for losers again.
And that would be the TRUE American Indians, not ones from Narragansett…
ahhh that would be “has” not “ahs” 
Posted by ( Susan ) on August 06, 2009 at 8:07 am
The American Indians found out what happens when you don’t control immigration.
that ahs to be the best comment of the year!
EVERY SINGLE person who has written in this site SHOULD write to or Call REED,KENNADY,WHITEHOUSE, and and let them know how you feel,I know for a fact They are feeling the heat from the voter’s on other matter’s keep the ball rolling -google the names and you will find there numbers Save this state and country
when my grandfather came here from Italy he was a bricklayer and he asked a homeowner for a drink of water. they told him to use the hose! They certainly didn’t cater to him!! Become a citizen…. learn the language… follow our customs… or LEAVE!!!
When immigrants come to America legally, they should be welcomed, but when they are “illegal” and have the audacity to speak in their own language, and want the USA to change it’s policies for them, it’s outrageous!! Also on July 4th at the beaches, they wave their country flags in our faces, playing their music. When my ancestors came here legally, they were not helped with interpretors, etc. They learned, period!!
It would be hard to put into words how proud I am of you for enforcing the immigration laws. I wish we had some leadership here in Delaware to free our State of the illegal aliens, but we don’t. Our legislators just turn their back when we ask them to pass some laws here. My Senator, Mr. Ennis, tells me he is against this illegal immigration, but can’t get one other legislator to sign on to a bill. What a shame.
Stand tall, Rhode Island! You have joined the many other States with laws to help end this illegal immigration, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona, Georgia and a number of other States.
When we get rid of the illegal aliens, we will get rid of all the problems that for with them.
Nobody “hates” illegal immegrants, just the fact that they are illegal. My father came to this country and was greatful when he was allowed to become a citizen, legally, and always said speak American, we are Americans. I am tired of pressing 1 for anything that is not American. So, come here the legal way and then SPEAK THE LANGUAGE of the country which happens to be English without pressing 2.
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