To: Sheriff Chris Kleinberg, Dakota County Sheriff

Tell Sheriff Chris Kleinberg: Stop 287(g) Certification in Dakota County

The Dakota County Sheriff’s office has submitted an application to become 287(g) certified – that means sheriffs would be deputized by Homeland Security to enforce immigration law. The Dakota County Sheriff would be the only Nebraska law enforcement agency to be a 287(g). Tell Sheriff Chris Kleinberg to listen to his community and withdraw his application to become 287(g) certified.

Why is this important?

A 287(g) certification is harmful for Dakota County.

In general, deputized officers are authorized to:
•interview individuals to ascertain their immigration status;
•check DHS databases for information on individuals;
•issue immigration detainers to hold individuals until ICE takes custody;
•enter data into ICE’s database and case management system;
•issue a Notice to Appear (NTA), the official charging document that begins the removal process;
•make recommendations for voluntary departure in place of formal removal proceedings;
•make recommendations for detention and immigration bond; and
•transfer noncitizens into ICE custody.

A study by the University of North Carolina School of Law and American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) found that “287(g) encourages, or at the very least tolerates, racial profiling and baseless stereotyping, resulting in the harassment of local residents and the isolation of an increasingly marginalized community.”

Please join us and urge the Dakota County Sheriff's office to withdraw their application to become 287(g) certified.