nbc-2.com
COLLIER COUNTY, Florida -- A new program merging local and federal powers is supposed to help fight illegal immigration in Collier County. Tuesday 27 deputies graduated from a special training course, which gives them the ability to enforce federal immigration laws.
Collier County is the first in the state of Florida to cross-train some its deputies as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agents.
Local officials say the new program will keep residents safer and save taxpayers money.
The special training course lasted five weeks.
"It's an awesome tool for us. This partnership allows us to identify and help remove criminally active illegal aliens in our county," said Collier County Sheriff's Office Captain Chris Freeman, who recently finished the training.
And officials say it will allow for quicker deportation of law breaking aliens.
"They will go into expulsion proceedings quicker," said Michael Rozos, who works for ICE.
In fact, the sheriff's office predicts it will get illegal immigrants aliens out of the U.S. 50 percent faster.