Chatham forum held on illegal immigration policy

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Chatham County commissioners did not attend a forum Thursday night on the county’s illegal immigration policy.

Commissioners have received threats following their recent decision not to take part in a federal program to identify illegal immigrants among those charged with other crimes.

Chatham Conservative Voice hosted Thursday night’s meeting at Captain John's Dockside Seafood Restaurant in Chapel Hill. The group opposes the board’s vote last month to pass on an opportunity to participate in the federal 287(g) program administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Commissioners said they thought it was costly and ineffective.

Under the 287(g) program, ICE gives local law enforcement agencies access to federal immigration databases so they can identify illegal immigrants among defendants they have arrested on local charges. ICE also trains officers how to initiate deportation cases against those people.

Heather Johnson, of Chatham Conservative Voice, said the group does not have a position on the federal program – just on the message the resolution sends.

“If you are an illegal alien and commit a crime in Chatham County, you can cycle through the system and commit more crime,” Johnson said.

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