CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is stepping up its role in immigration enforcement with a new partnership Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Wednesday. The National Guard, State Police, and Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation will partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the 287(g) program which gives added authority and duties to law enforcement handling illegal immigration.
The move gives trained state personnel federal authority to question, detain, and process people suspected of being in the country illegally. Morrisey says the effort will help fight fentanyl trafficking, which he blames on “border disorder” under the Biden administration.
“This will speed up the process to arrest, detain, and deport illegal aliens,” Morrisey said, adding that only specially trained officers will carry out the duties under ICE supervision.
