Example of questions asked/answered during this press conference:
Q On this detainer issue, to what extent do you find yourself arresting undocumented immigrants in courthouses? There have been some lawsuits that have been publicized recently. And are there standards with your agency as to when to arrest and when not?
ACTING DIRECTOR ALBENCE: That’s a great question. Thank you.
So, the fact that we have to arrest people in courthouses is largely necessitated by the fact that law enforcement agencies will not honor our detainers. Four or five years ago, before this whole sanctuary city issue exploded, we didn’t really have to go into court rooms because we’d be able to get the individual while they’re sitting in the custody of another law enforcement agency.
With regard to our policy, we worked very closely with the State Association of Chief Justices and State Court Administrators several years ago. Myself, when I was the Assistant Director for Enforcement, worked hand-in-hand with the leadership of those two agencies to develop a policy.
The policy that exists today with regard to how we conduct enforcement operations in courthouses came out of that process. Their feedback, their input was integrated into that policy.
Q Is it a disruption? Is it a disruption to the judicial process?
ACTING DIRECTOR ALBENCE: It’s a disruption to the safety of the American citizens who are being victimized by these individuals. You go to any courthouse in this land and these sheriffs will tell you they will have law enforcement officers from every agency nearby arresting somebody in their courtroom every day.
Criminals are mobile; most of them are recidivist. So I guarantee you, I can go into Fairfax County today and there will probably be sheriffs from Loudoun County, sheriffs from Prince William County, maybe a couple of marshals guys that are there waiting for somebody. It’s a common occurrence in law enforcement. The only reason it’s being made controversial is because politicians are looking to exploit it.
I appreciate so much your posting these things (so helpful to just go to one place!); I’ve been reading all of them.
Getting right to the truth sure saves a lot of time, too!
There is absolutely NOTHING that politicians are not looking to exploit. Nothing at all.
Politicians are the same as coyotes to me. Just another form of maggot.