An immigration task force in South Dakota is expanding its operations after seeing successful results.
Operation: Prairie Thunder was announced last summer, it’s a program that aims to ensure public safety by focusing on crime, drug trafficking, and assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
As part of the creation of the task force, more troopers from South Dakota Highway patrol are enrolling in the ICE training program as part of a partnership. Additionally, guardsmen from the state’s national guard are also a part of Prairie Thunder. They have been helping ICE with administrative work.
According to a press release, the guards worked with ICE by processing and deporting 664 undocumented immigrants.
According to state officials the operation has resulted in over 1,100 total drug charges, 42 DUIs, and 2,300 traffic citations.
Opponents of the task force say that it has created fear in immigrant communities throughout the state. They also say it will create an increase racial profiling and discrimination.
