Immigration Officials Make Site Visit To Rogers

Last updated Wednesday, March 21, 2007 10:06 PM CDT in News

By Melissa Sherman
The Morning News

    ROGERS --U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers made a "routine" site visit to Benton County on Thursday and held a closed door meeting with local authorities.

    Mayor Steve Womack declined to comment on the meeting and said he'd let the media know when he had something to report, said Wendy Shumate, his assistant.

    Police Chief Steve Helms also met with Womack and the immigration and customs officers. Helms did not immediately return messages left at his office Thursday.

    Womack applied for the federal program in November to train and certify local law enforcement officers to act in specified capacities as immigration officers.

    It is believed the meeting dealt with his application to participate in the federal program.

    Sheriff Keith Ferguson said Thursday he invited the officers, Police Chief Steve Helms and Womack to the Benton County Jail for a tour of the facility.

    The federal officers had "fairly simple" questions about how the jail functioned on a daily basis, Ferguson said.

    Jail Administrator Hunter Petray declined to comment Thursday on the enforcement officers' tour of the jail.

    Ferguson said the meeting with the officers was "informative" and a lot of his questions were answered without having to ask them.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement would set up equipment in the jail, if the program went through, to make it easier for deputies to quickly identify inmates that might be illegal immigrants, he said.

    The immigration officers also explained the role the police departments and sheriff's office would play in the program, Ferguson added.

    He said if the program was "workable" for the county, he would support it. Ferguson said he also requested further information about the program since it would involve his jail deputies.

    A plan to deal with illegal immigrants was announced by Womack after Brian Culpepper, a detective with the Rogers Police Department, was shot in October while serving a drug-related search warrant at 703 E. Mimosa Place.

    Maria Ayon-Torres struggled with officers during the search warrant, which resulted in Culpepper being accidentally shot. Ayon-Torres was found to be an illegal immigrant and was released on Nov. 21 on a "voluntary departure" order to Mexico.

    AT A GLANCE

    Immigration and 287(g)

    Section 287(g) was created under the 1996 amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act. It authorizes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enter into agreements with local and state law enforcement agencies to have designated officers with specialized training perform immigration law enforcement functions. The local officers would then be supervised by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

    Source: www.ice.gov/partners

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    Reader Comments (23 comment(s))


    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

    lifelongcitizen wrote on Mar 22, 2007 7:19 AM:

    " Womack, don't give in. "

    Hey Ferguson you wrote on Mar 22, 2007 7:34 AM:

    " Hey Ferguson what has taken you so long to get on board, did you find graffiti on some barbwire inside the jail or what. Running a little scared? "

    some facts wrote on Mar 22, 2007 3:01 PM:

    " (More than half of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States are Mexicans), Quote and here i'm am reading info on this forums about a invading illegals of 34 million, while it states that only 6 million are illegal, my question is this who are the other 6 million (ethiopians, russians, chinese, etc). See people your sources are not that credible yeah illegals are a problem but i was reading your posts with conviction that you guys knew what you were talking about there are not 34 millions illegals in this country only 12 million and 6 million are mexican and the rest are a little bit of everything. "

    Mak wrote on Mar 22, 2007 3:32 PM:

    " To all illegals, go through the process to become legal (Amnesty is not a process) just like all the other LEGAL immigrants did. Get off my tax paid public assistance, pay state and federal taxes out of your check, speak ENGLISH, clean up your yard/neighborhood, and do not expect "special treatment" just because you are here. If ou do these things you will find that most people will welcome you with open arms. Most would probably be more open to learning spanish if you cared enough to learn english. I am sure both sides will bash me for this but it does not matter. "

    to mak wrote on Mar 22, 2007 3:52 PM:

    " people would try to become legal but the process takes YEARS not days and starving children back at home can't wait that long without food "

    Mak wrote on Mar 22, 2007 4:03 PM:

    " Then if they are already here why do they not see what they can do, start a process? I am asking out of ignorance. What I see is "Amnesty" giving every "illegal" the right to be a US citizen, even the ones that do not care about truly making a better life for their families. I know that some people come because they really do care, others just to get a free ride. There are all races that look for a free ride so I am not sterotying hispanics. I am not racist against anyone. I just feel that if I have been here paying taxes my whole life I should not have to support someone that has not. If there is something I can do to help I will. My best friend has hispanic children, their dad deported. I watch those babies cry for their dad everyday. But he commited and crime and now he pays the price. So I do not hate hispanics, asians/any other race but I do hate the way America is treated by some illegals and unfortunatly some people that are legal. "

    Mak wrote on Mar 22, 2007 4:06 PM:

    " they really need spell check on here. I meant to type "sterotyping" "

    Mak wrote on Mar 22, 2007 4:30 PM:

    " One more question, If you are not breaking the law (other than the fact that it is illegal for you to be here)no bashing intended. Why would you be worried about law enforcement being able to identify illegal aliens that are committing crimes? If you want a good life for your kids, you should also want all criminals off the streets. Please help me to understand. "

    JESSICA wrote on Mar 22, 2007 5:45 PM:

    " HEY MR. FERGURSON...DON'T SIGN ANYTHING..!! WE NEED THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY TO BE FRIENDLY TO THE LOCAL POLICE OR SHERIFF DEPARTMENT..IF YOU SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH ICE, PEOPLE WILL NOT LONGER CALL YOU TO REPORT A CRIME..!! LISTEN TO LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY DECIDED NOT TO SIGN ANY AGREEMENT !! "

    dallas wrote on Mar 22, 2007 7:32 PM:

    " How many more legal citizens have to be murdered, robbed or raped by illegal aliens before something is done? 2-3 local citizens murdered in the last 6 months here alone. I have read statistics that say 25 legal citizens a day die in some manner or fashion courtesy of those that are here illegally. I think deportation is the only answer, anyone here that cut in line should should never be allowed the gift of citizenship. NO amnesty, no excuses. We can do it, we don;t need 20 million freeloaders. "

    To Mr. Fergurson wrote on Mar 22, 2007 8:06 PM:

    " DISREGARD MOST ANYTHING THAT SOMEONE THAT TYPES LIKE THIS SAYS. USUALLY WHEN SOMEONE ON THIS MORNINGNEWS SITE WRITES LIKE THIS, IT IS BECAUSE THEY REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE CAPS LOCK KEY OR THE ANY KEY FOR THAT MANNER. SOME PEOPLE THAT WRITE LIKE THIS ARE DEEMED IRRELEVANT BY MOST ALL THE normal folk who write on this site. BUT THERE ARE SOME THAT JUST DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE CAPS LOCK KEY IS LOCATED. For those that do not know where the Caps Lock key is IT IS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF YOUR KEYBOARD BELOW THE TAB KEY AND ABOVE THE SHIFT KEY AND TO THE DIRECT LEFT OF THE "A" KEY. Have a nice day all and lets keep the wonderful country of America the awesome Nation that it is. Please help people find the Caps Lock Key. "

    catsmeow wrote on Mar 22, 2007 10:18 PM:

    " I agree.I think we should teach people proper typing etiquette. Or at least how to use the key board properly. Peace. ;) The CAPS LOCK is a toggle key. You hit it again to UNLOCK it. Hee Hee. I think that was missed in computer class is Elemetary school. "

    Dallaswhat? wrote on Mar 22, 2007 10:43 PM:

    " Ha you do not need illegals? What will happen to the baby boomers? The illegals will support them by working but not getting taxes that are taken off from them but yes they are giving them to the government. Think about it if they leave, the Social Security may not exist for baby boomers.So every time the illegals pay for a drink or burger are they not paying taxes? Are they not supporting local schools? C'Mon people open your eyes. "

    dallas wrote on Mar 23, 2007 12:24 AM:

    " My retirement plans are not based on illegal aliens paying taxes on food and drinks. Illegals don't support the schools, they overcrowd the schools creating a need for more schools which they don't pay for. So the latest justification for allowing these tresspassers and freeloaders to remain is so we can get a social security check? I'll take my chances with deporting every single one of them. Hopefully the Mayor will have some good news from ICE. I would start by throwing out MALDEF, LA RAZA ("the race")and LULAC. Perhaps we'll all be a little safer when the Rogers police can start pulling over pickups with 6 people in the front seat without being accused of profiling. "

    40 years ago wrote on Mar 23, 2007 2:52 AM:

    " When a disaster struck 40 years ago or longer Americans did not wait for the government to give out handouts. We took it upon ourselves to rebuild. It`s called responsiblity. We are at this stage again when the local people must take responsiblity to repair the damage. That damage is the illegal invasion. All accross America it will be up to the local`s to take care of this problem. We have a bigger fight on our hands now with special interest groups telling us we can`t. Americans must unite in groups and donations to our cause otherwise groups like the ACLU will walk all over America. Do we Unite ? Or do we bow down to the great Liberal One World Government? A nation without laws is a nation that has lost it`s integrity. Think about that when your neighborhood is run over by law breaking illegals. There can be no doublestandard regardless of the interests of special interest groups and their bending the rules. Russia once said " WE WILL DESTROY YOU WITHIN ". Isn`t that is what is happening today ? "

    To "To Mak": wrote on Mar 23, 2007 12:11 PM:

    " If you can't feed your children in your home country you shouldn't be having them in the first place. Learn to use birth control pills and condoms. We legal Americans use them. "

    Barb wrote on Mar 23, 2007 5:33 PM:

    " I see that someone beat me to a comment about Jessica's ALL CAPS comments. I think it is an indication of a person too lazy to make normal punctuation. Or perhaps ignorang. Or perhaps an unbalanced screamer. I agree, don't read anything written all in caps. BTW - I read that the PA trial is over, but has anyone heard if the judge has ruled or not? "

    Barb re : wrote on Mar 23, 2007 6:35 PM:

    " It sounds like the judge will take a couple of months for a decision hmmmmm. "

    To Dallaswhat? wrote on Mar 24, 2007 1:30 PM:

    " Everytime an illegal "buy's a drink or a burger" they're paying taxes and supporting schools? Wow! All this time I was led to believe it was property taxes that subsidize schools, police, fire, etc. Well, hell, then we need MORE illegals to buy MORE drinks and burgers! They need to buy ALOT of them to offset the thousands and thousands of "anchors" born each year at State Taxpayer expense. What a crock. Drinks and burger taxes pay for schools. I needed that laugh. Thanks. "

    to Dallaswhat? wrote on Mar 24, 2007 1:36 PM:

    " In fact, I'm going to call the Francise Tax Board and the County Assesor's Office Monday morning and tell the Assesor that I don't have to pay property taxes anymore because Paco y Maria bought and paid taxes for a "drink and a burger." Yup. THAT'S what I'll do. "

    almknz wrote on Mar 25, 2007 6:21 AM:

    " I understand that the US gov. sets immigration policy, and when said policy is not followed it is breaking the law. What I don't understand, after they have set the laws, why are feds the only law inforcement agency that can arrest law breakers of said laws? Do you think the US would benifit from a "federal" law enforcement agency large enouth to arrest 12.5 million (low estimate)illegals? I don't, I do think the law enfocement that we do pay for in state and local taxes are and should be able to catch those who have broken any laws, and that includes those who are in the neighborhood illegally. "

    newnana wrote on Mar 25, 2007 6:19 PM:

    " Anyone with any common sense is not counting on SS benefits. Illegal aliens are draining this country dry. There won't be any social programs for them to mooch off of soon...then what will they do? "

    leroi wrote on Mar 28, 2007 12:06 AM:

    " Tell the illegals they have 6 months to sell their no documentation homes, pay off their Bank of America credit cards and return to their country of origin. Anyone found here illegally after that forfeits their property to pay for their deportation. Our schools are overrun and soon all our hospitals will be bankrupt. Lets get going! "


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