Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski confirmed his office plans to work with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Zuchowski said he has begun the process of obtaining a federal contract with ICE under the department’s section 287(g) program. The program allows the sheriff’s deputies to interrogate any person suspected of being in the country unlawfully, make some warrantless arrests and hold people in custody on behalf of ICE.

“This authority will strengthen our ability to identify, detain and transfer to ICE individuals who are here unlawfully committing crimes,” Zuchowski said in the statement.

The Kent Stater first reported on the agreement yesterday.

The sheriff’s office previously denied knowing the partnership was approved, and indicated in the statement that it was not yet finalized. However, the agreement said it became active after ICE chief Todd Lyons and Zuchowski signed it last month.

Alton Northup is news director. Contact him at [email protected].