PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has authorized the state Division of Criminal Investigation to obtain 287(g) program authority to help federal authorities enforce federal immigration laws in South Dakota, with a focus on violent criminals and drug dealers. Jackley made the announcement Wednesday during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, where he joined a group of attorneys general from several other states taking similar steps.

“Fentanyl and other illegal drugs brought into this country by cartels and illegal immigrants continue to be a major problem in South Dakota,” said Jackley in a press release. “Our federal authorities cannot do it alone. That is why I authorized DCI to become involved in helping ICE with these efforts.”

The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement to enter into agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to perform specific immigration enforcement duties under ICE supervision. The program, established under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, enables trained local officers to identify, process and detain individuals for immigration violations encountered during regular law enforcement activities.

“Our streets are plagued with methamphetamine and fentanyl that have been poured into our country by the cartels through the southern border,” said Jackley.