Joint effort with federal authorities continues Annapolis (March 11, 2010) - County Executive John R. Leopold today released the following statement regarding the multiple-location operation executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this morning: "Our local law enforcement continues to provide assistance to federal authorities charged with upholding our immigration laws to the greatest extent possible," County Executive Leopold said. "This morning our officers assisted a major operation to execute warrants at a business and residential locations in the County. We will continue to work closely with ICE to forward information on possible violations as well as execute responses." The Anne Arundel County Police Department has participated in numerous operations with ICE officials addressing illegal immigration, undocumented and fraudulently documented workers, as well as criminal and gang activity related to illegal immigrants. "High-level officials at the Department of Homeland Security have informed me that they share my position that employers must be the focus of immigration enforcement activities," County Executive Leopold said. Policies have been developed for the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Detention Center, requiring officers and booking officers to perform an immigration check for all suspects arrested, detained or in custody at the Detention Center who are believed or suspected to be an illegal alien. This policy establishes liaisons with ICE agents for suspected criminal illegal aliens to be turned over or referred to their custody. Detectives from the Anne Arundel County Police Department have been assigned to federal task forces related to document and benefit fraud, money laundering, airport interdiction and human trafficking. In 2008, County Police assisted on a major operation resulting in several arrests and forfeitures resulting from activities at Annapolis Painting Services. | 
