Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has been detained at least six people in federal custody this year, as part of a partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agency, which typically oversees wildlife reserves and enforces local hunting rules, signed a memorandum of agreement with ICE in May that gives it the authority to detain individuals suspected of immigration violations.
Under the program, known as 287(g), state and local law enforcement agencies can work with federal authorities to investigate, apprehend, and deport individuals who are believed to be in the US illegally. The partnership has expanded significantly this year, with over 1,000 agencies signing on to the program - a 693% increase compared to last year.
The LDWF is one of only three state wildlife agencies that have partnered with ICE through the 287(g) program, according to public records. All three agreements were signed in May, and the agency has been actively detaining people not guilty of any crimes, facilitating their arrests and possible deportations.
One incident report obtained by WIRED describes a joint patrol conducted by LDWF officers with US Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in August. The officers were searching for individuals suspected of violating state statutes related to seed oyster harvesting, but no one was seen committing any crimes. However, three men were taken into federal custody after being identified as potential immigration violators.
The reports reveal that the LDWF has been working closely with CBP and ICE to identify and detain individuals suspected of immigration violations. The agency has also been using its patrols to enforce local laws related to hunting and wildlife management.
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the LDWF acknowledged that the agency had made contact with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) regarding one individual who was issued a final removal order. However, they did not confirm whether the man had been deported or remained in federal custody.
The reports raise questions about the role of state wildlife agencies in enforcing immigration laws and the potential for abuse of power. Critics argue that such partnerships can lead to the detention of innocent people and undermine trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.
Under the program, known as 287(g), state and local law enforcement agencies can work with federal authorities to investigate, apprehend, and deport individuals who are believed to be in the US illegally. The partnership has expanded significantly this year, with over 1,000 agencies signing on to the program - a 693% increase compared to last year.
The LDWF is one of only three state wildlife agencies that have partnered with ICE through the 287(g) program, according to public records. All three agreements were signed in May, and the agency has been actively detaining people not guilty of any crimes, facilitating their arrests and possible deportations.
One incident report obtained by WIRED describes a joint patrol conducted by LDWF officers with US Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in August. The officers were searching for individuals suspected of violating state statutes related to seed oyster harvesting, but no one was seen committing any crimes. However, three men were taken into federal custody after being identified as potential immigration violators.
The reports reveal that the LDWF has been working closely with CBP and ICE to identify and detain individuals suspected of immigration violations. The agency has also been using its patrols to enforce local laws related to hunting and wildlife management.
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the LDWF acknowledged that the agency had made contact with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) regarding one individual who was issued a final removal order. However, they did not confirm whether the man had been deported or remained in federal custody.
The reports raise questions about the role of state wildlife agencies in enforcing immigration laws and the potential for abuse of power. Critics argue that such partnerships can lead to the detention of innocent people and undermine trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.
. It seems like we're letting the lines get blurred between wildlife conservation and immigration control. I mean, what's next? Are they gonna start fining people for picking wild berries without a permit? 
It's not fair to the good people who just want to enjoy the outdoors, and it's also got me worried about how this could impact immigrant communities in our state.
. Whatever it is, let's just make sure we're treating everyone with respect and fairness 
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the idea of state wildlife agencies partnering with ICE is SUPER CONCERNING..... they're not exactly trained for immigration enforcement, and it's basically a recipe for MISTAKES to get made... like that one incident where THREE MEN WERE TAKEN INTO FEDERAL CUSTODY FOR NO REASON????? what about people who are just GUESSING AT SEED OYSTER HARVESTING STUFF????!?! do they really need to be DEPORTED JUST BECAUSE THEY MIGHT BE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY??? IT'S JUST TOO MUCH TO HANDLE, AND I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND RE-EVALUATE THIS WHOLE 287(g) PROGRAM!!! 
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We need more transparency on this one, ya know? Transparency & accountability are key 
vs 
. And the fact that they've been detaining people without even committing a crime... it's like they're playing immigration cop 
. I mean, what's next? The EPA working with ICE to catch poachers in national parks? 
).
. It's not just about the people who are breaking the law, but also those who aren't doing anything wrong, you know? 
. I've seen some reports where people were detained for no reason at all, just because they matched a certain profile 
. That's not right, in my opinion 
.
. There are complexities involved, and we need to approach this issue with sensitivity and nuance 
.
!
, and I gotta say, it's wild how much has changed with Louisiana's LDWF partnership with ICE. 1k+ agencies signing up for the 287(g) program is crazy 
, but at what cost? I'm not saying no one should be held accountable for immigration issues, but when it comes to detaining people suspected of nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time... that's just a recipe for disaster 
. It makes me wonder how much politics is playing into this whole thing and whether it's really about protecting wildlife or just another way to crack down on undocumented immigrants 
They're not even enforcing hunting rules anymore, they're out here deporting people for seed oyster harvesting 
? Wait, no... maybe I'm just being ridiculous now 
have u heard?! louisiana's dept of wildlife & fisheries is working with ice now?! 
gotta stand with our brothers & sisters from mexico & latin america who are just tryna live their best lives here 
and we need to keep an eye on this stuff so it doesn't get out of control 
. I mean, what's the real motive behind these partnerships? Is it really about protecting our environment or is it more about feeding the ICE machine 
? Either way, it's gotta be done right and with transparency. Can't have innocent people getting swept up in the crossfire 
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It just feels so wrong, you know? They're supposed to be protectin' wildlife, not deportin' people. And it's not just that, but the fact that innocent people are gettin' detained... like, what if they're just tryin' to make a livin'?