Adriana Piñon

SB 8 is not just sinister, it’s unconstitutional.

Participating in the program undermines community trust and safety.When sheriff's deputies engage in immigration enforcement, fewer people report crimes for fear of being deported, thus jeopardizing community safety and trust. In fact, a study of how increased police involvement with immigration enforcement found 70 percent of undocumented immigrants are less likely to contact authorities about a crime they have witnessed or endured for fear of being asked about their immigration status or worse, being taken into custody. By ending 287(g) programs, undocumented immigrants and their loved ones that reside in the community will feel safer from incrimination and will not have to be silent victims.    Prioritizing immigration enforcement neglects fighting violent crime. Community safety also becomes less of a priority when law enforcement uses their time and resources to participate in immigration enforcement rather than combating violent, more urgent crime in their community. Counties already struggle with funding local law enforcement operations; branching out to act as a deportation arm will stretch already limited resources such as jail space.    287(g) agreements drain county finances. Participating in the 287(g) program costs counties a significant sum of money. According to the American Immigration Council’s analysis on 287(g), state and local governments sustain most of the program’s costs.