Mesa’s agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement came under fire during the Aug. 18 city council meeting.
The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act section 287(g), which Mesa participates in, partners state and local law enforcement with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws. If someone is arrested and is in the country illegally, Mesa Police will report them to ICE.
Jillian Ryan, organizer of Indivisible Mesa, a city-wide progressive advocacy organization, criticized the agreement during the items from residents present section of the meeting. She said the agreement is voluntary in nature, and said that increased ICE presence only increases racial profiling and does not address violent crime in the city.
