August 21, 2012

A controversial immigration program is coming to an end.
     
The Davidson County Sheriff says his agency will no longer participate in the 287 (g) program.  
       
Immigrants have rallied and protested calling for its end.

"This program destroys families and gives fear to our community," says 19 year old Mercedes Gonzalez.

Now, Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall says the 287 (g) program will not continue in Nashville.
 
"The levels of foreign born arrests have dipped to the lowest point in 10 years," says Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall.

Sheriff Hall says the immigration enforcement effort, which allowed deputies to check the immigration status of anyone booked into the Metro Jail, is no longer necessary.
     
More than 10,000 illegal immigrants  have been processed for deportation.
       
Hall says the number of illegal people arrested has dropped from 10% to 2%.

"Make no mistake, 287 (g) has been an overwhelming success," says Sheriff Hall.

Members of Nashville's immigrant community say 287 (g) created fear, and separated families.
    
Mercedes Gonzales and Amelio Moreno were detained under the program.

"Personally, really happy because this is over, 287 (g)," says Gonzales.

"We're fighting for peace in our communities, for a better future in our communities," says Amelio Moreno.

Attorney Elliott Ozment has filed lawsuits challenging 287 (g).  He says the litigation will move forward, but adds this is a step in the right direction.

"It has wreaked havoc with thousands of families in the immigrant community. It has been a long time coming.  I think it should have happened a long time ago,"  says Elliott Ozment.

The Sheriff's department will continue the 287 (g) program until it expires in October.  The 12 employees who are assigned to that task will be used elsewhere in the agency.    
       
The Sheriff's Department will still screen foreign born inmates through the "Secure Communities" program.

The federal initiative uses fingerprints to determine if a person is in the country illegally.
    
Ending 287 (g) will save about $700,000 dollars a year.

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