State Auditor’s Office announces partnership with ICE

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - State Auditor Shad White announced on Tuesday that his office has partnered with ICE.

According to a release, the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor has signed an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to have OSA agents trained and approved by ICE to execute functions of immigration enforcement within the state if needed.

“ICE agents and the Trump administration are working hard to stop illegal immigration, and they need every law enforcement officer willing to assist in their corner,” said Auditor White. “Two agents from my office volunteered to be trained in immigration law enforcement and to assist ICE whenever they are short-handed in this area, and we are grateful for the chance to serve in this way.”

The partnership program will now give OSA agents access to ICE resources and training.

OSA agents participating in the program will continue their primary responsibility of conducting criminal investigations into misspent government funds, but will now also be able to assist ICE during emergencies.

“Last year, our team found illegal immigration costs Mississippi taxpayers around $100 million per year in public education, healthcare, and criminal justice expenses,” said White. “So, if we can do anything to stop this by helping ICE, we will do it.”

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