Mississippi Auditor Office Partners with ICE for Immigration Enforcement Training

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White announced that the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has signed an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to have OSA agents trained and authorized to assist ICE with immigration enforcement if needed. This partnership is part of the nationwide 287(g) program, which enables state and local law enforcement to help ICE with immigration duties. While OSA agents will continue focusing on investigating misspent government funds, they will also be available to support ICE during emergencies. White highlighted that illegal immigration costs Mississippi taxpayers about $100 million annually in public education, healthcare, and criminal justice, motivating this collaboration to help reduce those expenses. Two agents from the OSA have volunteered for the training to provide assistance when ICE is short-handed. White also encouraged other law enforcement agencies to consider participating in the 287(g) program to bolster immigration enforcement efforts.