1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concerns about the expansion of the 287(g) program and its impact on the safety and dignity of all Americans. While immigration enforcement is an important issue, the growing involvement of local law enforcement—without sufficient oversight—has raised serious fears of racial profiling, wrongful detentions, and increased hostility from individuals who feel emboldened to police others based on perceived immigration status. It is critical to remember that racial profiling was deemed illegal in United States v. Maricopa County (2017), the federal case against former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The court found that his department engaged in unconstitutional racial profiling, unlawfully targeting Latinos under the guise of immigration enforcement. This ruling set a clear legal precedent: law enforcement agencies cannot single people out based on race or perceived immigration status. Despite this, reports indicate that the 287(g) program continues to foster an environment where racial profiling persists. This not only undermines public trust in law enforcement but also places U.S. citizens, legal residents, and vulnerable communities at risk. The recent discussions about deporting U.S. citizens convicted of crimes and the wrongful detentions of American-born children further highlight the dangers of unchecked enforcement. I urge you to take action to ensure: - Strict oversight of local law enforcement agencies participating in 287(g) agreements. - Clear protections against racial profiling and wrongful detentions. - Stronger accountability measures for officers who exceed their authority or engage in misconduct. - Public transparency about policies that affect civil rights and public safety. As your constituent, I ask that you stand firmly for equal protection under the law and advocate for policies that safeguard all Americans—regardless of background. I appreciate your leadership and look forward to your response on this urgent matter.