Oklahoma has announced a controversial pilot program, Operation Guardian, spearheaded to expedite the deportation of over 500 incarcerated illegal immigrants, aligning with President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation policies.

The state initiative seeks to alleviate prison costs while facilitating deportations, raising debates over crime victim concerns, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Oklahoma's new pilot program, Operation Guardian, targets 526 illegal immigrants currently serving sentences in state prisons.

The state’s motivation is twofold: to support Trump’s intensified deportation efforts and to address the economic burden of housing these inmates. Gov. Kevin Stitt highlighted the financial strain, noting that Oklahoma spends $36,000 daily, totaling over $1 million each month, on their incarceration.

Oklahoma Governor Emphasizes Economic Impact

Stitt has been outspoken in his support for Operation Guardian. He declared his intention to hand over these state-held prisoners to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before they complete their sentences. Stitt articulated his eagerness for Oklahoma to be a frontrunner in aligning with the Trump administration's immigration policy by stating, "We want to be the first state that works with President Trump."

The program not only aims at cost reduction but also addresses public safety concerns. Stitt remarked regarding the inmates, "We have over 500 people incarcerated in Oklahoma who have broken the law, who are criminals, and they also are illegal. We would love to get them out of the state of Oklahoma, out of the country."

Stitt faced questions over ICE's capacity to detain these inmates during their deportation proceedings. Defending his stance, he explained, "We’re not asking for more ICE agents. We’re just saying, ‘When we catch criminal activity, we’re going to turn them over to the feds.’"

Public Safety Commissioner Explains Strategy

Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton is leading the initiative. He is coordinating with state and local police to develop a plan for the seamless transfer of custody to ICE. He emphasized that Oklahoma is facing a unique challenge due to what he described as the effects of an open border policy, which he believes has heightened exposure to transnational crimes.

Tipton shared, “I am currently working with the leadership of our law enforcement partners to fully develop our operational strategy to be prepared for implementation as soon as the new administration takes office.” This operational preparation signifies an anticipated synergy with Trump’s incoming policies.

However, the practical implementation invites questions about what happens after deportation. There is currently no clear protocol for ensuring the completion of sentences once prisoners are deported to their countries of origin.

Concerns Raised by Victim Advocacy Groups

Among the concerns, victim advocates worry about the implications for crime survivors. Naida Henao, from the Network for Victim Recovery of DC, pointed out the anxiety experienced by survivors when perpetrators are deported. “What we have found, generally speaking, is that folks actually feel less safe when folks are deported,” she commented.

Henao explained the difference in the victim’s experience when perpetrators are imprisoned domestically versus deported. When they remain within the U.S., survivors receive updates about the status and whereabouts of offenders. In contrast, deportations leave victims in uncertainty. “If someone is deported, I don’t know where they are,” she stated, underscoring the victim’s lack of information post-deportation.

The lack of updates challenges the survivors' sense of safety, with the possibility of offenders clandestinely returning to the U.S. or reconciling undisclosed residency decisions.

Trump’s Administration and Broader Implications

President-elect Donald Trump has made deportations a central piece of his immigration strategy, especially for those with criminal records or existing deportation orders. With Tom Homan appointed as the administration’s “border czar,” a streamlined effort for deportations is anticipated.

If Operation Guardian proves successful, it could potentially serve as a model that other states may emulate. The collaboration between state authorities and ICE may inspire similar programs across the country.

The initiative ties closely with Trump’s broader immigration policies, emphasizing border security and strengthened deportation operations. As Oklahoma sets forth its plans, both support and controversy are likely to follow, reflecting the complexity and multifaceted nature of immigration enforcement.

Oklahoma’s Precedent for Federal Collaboration

Gov. Stitt’s encouragement for the initiative positions Oklahoma as potentially setting a precedent for federal-state collaboration on immigration-related matters. By translating immigration rhetoric into actionable policies, Oklahoma aims to actualize its goals set in conjunction with federal objectives.

The execution of Operation Guardian will be closely observed, not only by Oklahomans but by nationwide stakeholders interested in the unfolding implications of strengthened immigration policies. How these policies affect the landscape of public safety and economic considerations remains to be seen.

As the pilot program unfolds, continued dialogue between government officials, victim advocacy groups, and the public will be essential. This engagement will critically shape the future of similar endeavors and their societal impacts.