LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A program to teach local police officers federal immigration law is drawing protest from immigration groups and some police officials.
The Orange County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department wants to send some 200 deputies for training with Immigration and Customs Enforcement while the Costa Mesa (Calif.) Police Department wants training for about 40 officers, The Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
The training would include an overview of federal immigration law, how U.S. agents work, and would help outsiders understand the federal bureaucracy, the Times said.
Officials at other police departments, however, told the newspaper immigration law enforcement should be left to federal personnel, adding that it could harm inroads local police have made in the immigrant community.
Paty Madueno, a leader with a group of churches, told the Times the plan "has caused fear, panic and hate ... I know there are a lot of families that are very worried."
