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May 22, 2008 09:51 by John
Orange County Register Reporter Amy Taxin and Photographer Leonard Ortiz spent time with five Deputies who are completing on the job training to become Cross-Designated Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The journalists observed the deputies during part of their on the job training at the Intake Release Center earlier this week.
To see their report, click here.
May 14, 2008 10:50 by John
Updated
Five Deputies graduated on Friday, May 9 after completing a four-week-long intensive training program on immigration law and Immigration and Customs Enforcement procedures for removal of undocumented individuals booked our jails. Once they return they will receive additional training from our deputies who are already ICE trained as well as one week of training with the Federal ICE agents over at the Federal building in Santa Ana.
The deputies will be cross-designated as ICE agents and will serve as such in our jails. They were trained at the Mecklenberg County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina.
The five Deputies are Jesus Hernandez, Naomi Jimenez, Cynthia Mata, Hector Martinez and Art Tiscareno.
On December 21, 2006, twelve deputies and two sergeants successfully completed the four week training course for the 287(g) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cross-designation program. The newly trained deputies will also be cross designated as limited authority ICE agents.
Due to recent transfers, four of the deputies will remain at the IRC and one will go to Theo Lacy after they complete their on the job training here.
Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson attended the graduation and delivered these remarks.
Good Afternoon. I want to thank you for inviting me to be here today. I’m Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson, currently acting as the Sheriff of Orange County, California.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is currently in its 2nd year of screening for undocumented foreign nationals during the booking process in our jails.
We pursued our partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement because it was essential that we reduce crime, reduce jail overcrowding and reduce cases in our court system.
For us, the Cross-Designation program is not about immigration, it’s about law enforcement. More...
March 28, 2008 09:20 by Ryan
This video was featured at the Medal of Valor luncheon last Friday. The Register covered the ceremony here.
March 17, 2008 11:40 by Ryan
From the Orange County Register:
For more than a year the Orange County Sheriff's Department has had specially-trained deputies screening county jail inmates for immigration status. Arrestees who are determined to be in this country illegally are detained and turned over to federal immigration authorities after their criminal cases are resolved.
Out of about 68,000 arrestees who were screened between Jan. 2007 and January of this year, 4,683 were found to be illegal immigrants, or about 7 percent of all screened arrestees. (About 3,000 of them had been arrested for non-immigration-related felonies, the rest for non-immigration misdemeanors.)
Read it all right here.
February 22, 2008 09:31 by Ryan
New opportunities and challenges demand that we constantly reevaluate our operation. Whether we implement new programs and services, collaborate with fellow law enforcement agencies, or work with outside organizations to utilize the best technology and resources, our focus must always be on our mission and whether the changes we implement will help us in exceeding expectations in our service to the community.
Throughout the history of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department we have been steadfast in our mission: To provide professional, responsive and caring law enforcement services to the residents, businesses and visitors of Orange County. Our unwavering focus on this mission has created one of the safest places to live, work and play, and those we serve continue to be satisfied and confident in our work.
Of course, we don’t rest on our laurels. Our ability to be responsive, creative and innovative to the changing needs of the community is essential. We continue to make tremendous strides, joining LiNX, a regional information sharing system; supporting the Office of Independent Review, growing our Cross-Designation program and addressing the operational strain of our growing jails.
Many challenges and opportunities are ahead, but the community we serve can rest assured that the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department remain committed to our role and flexible in our approach.
Thank you for all you do for the residents, businesses and visitors we serve each and every day.
February 8, 2008 16:51 by John
The new Consul of Mexico in Santa Ana and two of his top aides came to Department Headquarters on Friday to meet Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson, Acting as the Sheriff-Coroner.
“We want to insure that all foreign dignitaries are safe in Orange County,” Acting Sheriff Anderson told the trio of Mexican diplomats. He told Consul Carlos Rodriguez y Quezada that the Department had a good working relationship with his predecessor.
When problems arose, the Department and the consulate staff worked together to solve them, Acting Sheriff Anderson said. When the consulate staff found itself the target of a protest in San Juan Capistrano, the Department stood by to insure the protest was peaceful.
“It’s not our job to take sides,” Acting Sheriff Anderson said. “We will only take action if we see someone breaking the law.”
Consul Rodriguez y Quezada was accompanied to the meeting by Deputy Consul Manuel Herrera and Vice Consul Connie Capulin.
He added that a controversial issue in the community is illegal immigration. More...
November 16, 2007 11:29 by Ryan
From January 19 to October 28, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Jail Deputies interviewed 5,382 foreign nationals booked into Orange County jails, detaining 3,766 individuals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Among those detained, 226 were being held for aggravated felonies, 2,375 for felonies, 1,391 for misdemeanors and 231 affiliated with gangs.
From January 1 to October 28, a total of 56,876 individuals were booked into Orange County Jails.
This past Wednesday, Lt. Roland Chacon discussed our cross-designation program with KUCI 88.9's Mari Frank. Here's the interview:
September 25, 2007 16:06 by Ryan
Langley Productions will begin filming episodes of Court TV’s Inside American Jail within Orange County Correctional Facilities this evening.
 Langley Productions (LP) approached the Orange County Sheriff’s Department several months ago with their request. According to their website, “Langley Productions is one of the U.S.'s leading independent entertainment production companies, with dozens of television and film projects to its credit. The company is best known for the long-running, critically acclaimed reality television series COPS, currently in its 20th season." LP’s goal is to present the work of Correctional Deputies in a realistic, positive manner and we look forward to working with them in this effort.
Members of Sheriff Carona's command staff have worked with County Counsel and County Risk Management to ensure that this partnership is consistent with protecting public health, safety and public property, in accordance to Orange County Codified Ordinance.
We are confident such programming will highlight the professionalism and dedication of the men and women who provide for the safety and wellbeing of the inmates in our custody, while informing their viewers of the realities inside our jails.
September 6, 2007 17:01 by Ryan
From January 19 to August 26, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Jail Deputies interviewed 4,598 foreign nationals booked into Orange County jails, detaining 3,147 individuals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Among those detained, 202 were being held for aggravated felonies, 1,988 for felonies, 1,159 for misdemeanors and 195 affiliated with gangs.
From January 1 to August 26, a total of 45,864 individuals were booked into Orange County Jails.
For more on our Cross-Designation Program, click here.
August 7, 2007 13:23 by Ryan
Our response to the Orange County Grand Jury report can be found here.
We were asked to respond specifically to two findings and two recommendations:
Finding F-1: The OCSD is currently preparing a coordinated plan to provide information to OC communities about the MOA and to gather information about community concerns with the MOA.
Finding F-2: OCSD does not identify on their web site or their public viewable arrest log those booked prisoners who have an immigration detainer placed on them.
Recommendation R-1: The OCSD should complete the plan to gather community information and opinions about the OCSD ICE program and include a strategy to inform the community about SCC’s role in the program.
Recommendation R-2: OCSD should consider adding to their website and their public viewable arrest log a notation if a booked prisoner has an immigration detainer.
Most notable is the list of participants involved in the Sheriff's Community Coalition. These groups continue to provide input and feedback on our Cross-Designation program. In fact, Sheriff Carona and Undersheriff Galisky recently attended a Los Amigos meeting to discuss our ongoing efforts.
Here's a partial list of our Sheriff's Community Coalition: 100 Black Men of OC, 100 Black Women of OC, ACLU, Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Anaheim Veterans Center, Anti-Defamation League, Armenian Community, Black Chamber of Commerce OC,
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, Community Action Partnership of OC, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Department on Aging, Elections Committee of OC, Episcopal Churches, Grand Jurors’ Association of OC, Hispanic Bar Association, Hispanic Chamber of OC, Hispanic Methodist Church, Iranian-American Council, Los Amigos of OC, National Conference for Community & Justice, OC Bail Agents Association, OC Human Relations Commission, OC Human Relations Council, OC Japanese American Association, OC NAAC, POC Sheriff’s Advisory Council, OC Southern Baptist Association, Presbyterian Church, Roman Catholic Diocese, SE California Conference of 7th Day Adventists, So California Indian Center, South Asian Network, US Middle East Alliance, Women’s Transitional Living Center
August 6, 2007 14:22 by Ryan
Last Wednesday, August 1, Sheriff Carona and Undersheriff Galisky attended the Los Amigos meeting. Sheriff Carona was asked to discuss our cross-designation program, operating in our jails since January 19.
Red County's "Jubal" was in attendance and has the video.
For the record, from January 19 to July 29, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Jail Deputies interviewed 4,135 foreign nationals booked into Orange County jails, detaining 2,778 individuals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Among those detained, 180 were being held for aggravated felonies, 1,762 for felonies, 1,016 for misdemeanors and 174 affiliated with gangs.
July 18, 2007 10:13 by Ryan
Dana Ford, a writer for Reuters news agency, visited the OCSD in May after speaking to southern California ICE officials. Her story's out today, including this highlight:
Now 21 local law enforcement agencies have partnered with ICE in 12 states, more than twice the number of agencies at the end of 2006. A further 60 groups have applications pending.
California's Orange County started the program in its jails last January and has so far identified more than 2,000 inmates who are potentially deportable -- either because they are undocumented immigrants or have committed crimes that make them eligible to lose their legal status.
"At the end of the day, we want a program that's going to reduce crime," said Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona.
After they have completed their sentences, flagged inmates are released to ICE for possible deportation.
About 70 percent of the inmates identified in O.C. jails were charged with felonies or aggravated felonies, crimes like drug possession and murder.
Read the whole thing here.
For the record, from January 19 to June 30, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Jail Deputies interviewed 3,685 foreign nationals booked into Orange County jails, detaining 2,446 individuals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Among those detained, 159 were being held for aggravated felonies, 1,561 for felonies, 885 for misdemeanors and 143 affiliated with gangs.
In 2006, DHS/ICE maintained an average of 310 inmates in-custody with Immigration and Naturalization Services holds. Today, we have 1,116 inmates in-custody with INS holds -- more than tripling the average number of INS holds over last year.
July 12, 2007 12:09 by Ryan
Since January 19, 2007, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Jail Deputies interviewed 3,685 foreign nationals booked into Orange County jails from, detaining 2,446 individuals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Among those detained, 159 were being held for aggravated felonies, 1,561 for felonies, 885 for misdemeanors and 143 affiliated with gangs.
In 2006, DHS/ICE maintained an average of 310 inmates in-custody with Immigration and Naturalization Services holds. Today, we have 1,116 inmates in-custody with INS holds -- more than tripling the average number of INS holds over last year.
 
Tune into KCET’s The News Hour with Jim Lehrer tonight at 6:00 PM to see Jeffery Kaye’s report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Central Jail Complex on the Cross Designation process and the ongoing Immigration & Customs Enforcement successes happening right here in our jail system.
June 1, 2007 09:15 by Ryan
On October 19, 2006, Sheriff Carona signed an agreement with Immigration & Customs Enforcement to train and certify deputies to perform limited immigration functions. The program was launched on January 19, 2007.
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Jail Deputies interviewed 3,074 foreign nationals booked into Orange County jails from January 19th to May 27, detaining 2,036 individuals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Among those detained, 132 were being held for aggravated felonies, 1,307 for felonies, 729 for misdemeanors and 121 affiliated with gangs.
For more on the Cross-Designation program, please see the Orange County Grand Jury Report, ICE in Orange County. One reccomendation from the report:
- To ensure consistency within OC, the cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Orange, Fullerton and Garden Grove should consider entering into an agreement with ICE, or make an arrangement with OCSD, to ensure that all people booked at their jails have their immigration status checked with ICE and hold UIs for ICE transport to federal facilities.
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