BY MORGAN RYAN

The DeLand Police Department will soon undergo additional training by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce immigration laws in the area. The program will allow designated officers to be trained and supervised by ICE to identify and/or apprehend undocumented immigrants.

The decision to partner with ICE follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, Protecting American People Against Invasion, which requires ICE to allow state and local law-enforcement agencies to exercise immigration authority in their jurisdiction. 

State and local law-enforcement agencies can then apply to enter a voluntary partnership with ICE, which will require the agencies to enter memorandums of agreement for their officers to undergo specific training.

The City of DeLand has opted to adopt the Task Force Model, which will give DPD access to a database maintained by ICE.

What this means for undocumented immigrants in DeLand is that if you are stopped or questioned by local police for a different reason — for example, a routine traffic violation — DeLand Police officers will be able to run your name through a database to determine if you are wanted by ICE.

The officer can then alert an ICE agent to the presence of an alleged undocumented immigrant, but cannot apprehend them themselves unless they are being detained for a different reason unrelated to citizenship status. 

The training will be funded by ICE.

 This program does not necessarily mean that every DeLand Police officer will undergo this training. Additionally, according to the City of DeLand, they are required to comply with ICE agents if they were to come to the city for any reason and under any circumstances.