A Republican sheriff in Wyoming has proposed using county jail space to detain undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation under the Trump administration.
Why It Matters
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to initiate the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history as part of his immigration crackdown. Deporting millions of undocumented immigrants was a cornerstone of his reelection campaign, with promises to begin these efforts on "Day One" of his presidency, citing concerns over crime.
Key Developments
Sheriff’s Proposal:
Brian Kozak, the sheriff of Laramie County, Wyoming, is negotiating with the U.S. Marshals Service to house individuals targeted for deportation under Trump’s policies, according to a NewsNation report. Kozak’s county has offered 200 beds and could potentially increase capacity to 400 inmates, contingent on staffing.
Funding Details:
The agreement under discussion would pay the sheriff’s department $120 per day for each inmate housed. Kozak’s department is also seeking immigration authority for jail deputies to assess inmates' immigration status and file federal charges independently of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Current Capacity:
Laramie County jail currently holds 180 inmates and has identified six detainees with ICE detainers. These individuals meet the criteria for deportation under the Biden administration due to serious criminal offenses.
Financial and Humanitarian Concerns
Cost of Mass Deportations:
The American Immigration Council estimates that implementing mass deportations could cost $315 billion. Deporting 1 million people annually could require $88 billion per year. With approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S., the financial and logistical challenges are significant.
Impact on Communities:
Critics argue that such policies disproportionately target vulnerable communities, including individuals who have lived in the U.S. for years, raised families, and contributed to society. Experts warn of potential family separations and human rights violations under international law.
Legal Perspective:
Sarah Paoletti, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, highlighted that current U.S. immigration practices already violate international human rights law. She expressed concerns that mass deportations could exacerbate violations related to due process, access to courts, equality, and nondiscrimination. These actions may contravene international agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture.
Reactions
Sheriff Kozak:
“Our jail has 180 inmates, so we can safely go up to 400, but that’s contingent on our staffing level. We have a federal law broken that's not being enforced, and so we are standing ready to help President Trump and our local senators enforce that law,” Kozak told NewsNation.
Trump Transition Spokesperson:
Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, said, “President Trump will enlist every federal power and coordinate with state authorities to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families. The American people reelected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail.”
What Happens Next
After his January 20 inauguration, Trump is expected to sign executive orders on illegal immigration and border security. He has vowed to begin mass deportations immediately upon taking office, setting the stage for an aggressive and controversial immigration enforcement agenda.
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