The District Attorney’s Office of DeSoto County, Mississippi, announced yesterday a closer collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expedite the deportation of undocumented immigrants arrested in the region. Matthew Barton, county attorney, emphasized that this alliance aims to strengthen public safety by deporting those individuals who, according to his office, pose a risk to the local community.
In its statement, the District Attorney’s Office said it is its legal obligation under state law to fully cooperate with federal authorities. The publication was accompanied by photos of fourteen individuals the office alleges are undocumented immigrants in its custody.
Of the fourteen immigrants used as examples in this release, most are being prosecuted for crimes not classified as violent under Mississippi law, such as use of false documents and identity theft. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
“Last week, Miguel Godinez, who was charged in Southaven, was taken into ICE custody and his deportation proceedings have been initiated,” the statement said.
Prosecutor Barton justified his position by arguing that these immigrants have spent a total of 1,536 days in the county jail, generating a cost of approximately $184,320 for taxpayers, highlighting that this is an example of how undocumented immigration impacts the justice system. and to the community.
“We will not allow undocumented immigrants to undermine the security of our county,” he declared, calling for the need to seal the borders and continue cooperation with ICE.
Beyond the judicial sphere, immigration policy has significant economic implications.
According to a report published by the Institute for Fiscal and Economic Policy (ITEP), undocumented immigrants contribute considerably to the financing of infrastructure and public services. In 2022, these contributions at the federal, state and local levels amounted to $96.7 billion. More than a third of that amount, $33.9 billion, was allocated to finance social security programs that these people cannot access due to their immigration status.
In Mississippi, state and local tax contributions from the undocumented population reached $49.9 million that same year.
