>> BERGEN COUNTY SHERRIFF CANDIDATE PLANS TO TURN COUNTY OFFICERS INTO IMMIGRATION OFFICERS

IF IMPLEMENTED, SUCH A PLAN IS A BLUEPRINT FOR ABUSE AND ETHNIC PROFILING

According to POLITICSNJ.com, August 22, 2007, Bergen County NJ Republican Sheriff candidate Harry Shortway Jr. today announced that upon his election in November, he will immediately enter into an Agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement , “ICE”, authorizing county officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions, pursuant to Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, “INA”.

“By deputizing our officers as immigration officers, the 70 municipal jurisdictions within Bergen County can call the Sheriff when they need immigration enforcement authority. The cross-designation with ICE will provide the necessary resources to pursue investigations relating to violent crimes and foreign gang activity…”

Of course, should Mr. Shortway be elected, and succeed in his plan, it is likely that simple traffic stops and the like may become immigration interrogations and/or detentions. Moreover, as immigrationlaw is among the most complex body of law in the United States, it is unlikely that municipal and county police officers, with all there present responsiblities, will be able to master its intricacies.