RENSSELAER COUNTY WILL CONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN THE 287 (g) PROGRAM, SAYS COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE MCLAUGHLIN AND SHERIFF KYLE BOURGAULT

COUNTY HAS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAM SINCE 2018, AND SAYS 287 (g) IS EFFECTIVE IN PROTECTING PUBLIC AND PROVIDING NEEDED INFORMATION AT COUNTY JAIL

Rensselaer County officials today noted the county’s participation in the federal 287(g) program and said that based on the program’s effectiveness during the past decade, will be continuing participation.

Both County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Sheriff Kyle Bourgault said the program, which is based in the county jail and involves screening those brought to the facility on criminal charges, is an effective resource for public safety efforts in the county.

“Our county always prioritizes protecting our residents, and the 287(g) program has been an effective tool for law enforcement by providing additional and timely information about those brought to our jail,” said McLaughlin.

“We have no plans to end what has been an effective partnership over nearly a decade between our county and the federal government. Knowing who is being brought into our jail and what other charges they may face is common-sense,” he added.

“Thanks to our participation in the 287(g) program, we know if a person arrested on local charges is also wanted on other charges in another country. Access to that information is crucial in ensuring criminals and fugitives are brought to justice,” said Bourgault.

The county became the first county in the state to join the federal 287(g) program in 2018. There are four levels to the 287(g) program, with Rensselaer County participating in the Jail Enforcement Model.

The Jail Enforcement Model, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “is designed to identify and process removable aliens — with criminal or pending criminal charges — who are arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies.” That means the county’s 287(g) efforts are centered at the county jail.

There are three other 287 (g) models for participation, with various counties participating at different levels. The 287 (g) program was started under the Clinton administration, continued through the Obama and other administrations, including most recently the Biden administration.

“The reason more counties are joining the 287 (g) program, some at more expanded levels, is because the program provides needed information in real-time to law enforcement. This program ensures a person arrested on relatively minor charges locally but facing more serious charges in another country is not released into the public and instead is brought to justice. The program as done in our county is effective and necessary,” said Bourgault.

“The Governor may look toward to the organized chaos in one state and attempt to end the 287 (g) program in the state. By her actions, she is a supporter of open borders at any cost. Those policies endanger the public and will cause further tragedies like we have seen too often in our state,” said McLaughlin.