The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office and the Harrisonburg Police Department are applying for a new program that allows local law enforcement to detain illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Many agencies say the federal government can't do it alone, and local law enforcement agencies want more authority to tackle the increasing problem. Sheriff Don Farley says he wants the authority to deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes instead of having to release them from jail where they can continue to cause problems in the community.

"I like to be able to take care of the problems in Rockingham County and the city of Harrisonburg," says Sheriff Don Farley. "I like to be able to have the authority to take action and do it instead of having to pick up a phone and say 'hey this is a problem we're having, can you come over and take care of it for us."

With this new immigrant enforcement program, local deputies and police can hold the illegal immigrants themselves.

"Before we had to call ICE and get somebody in here, and sometimes it would take a couple of hours before they could even get in here and do the paperwork to hold them, and we'd have to have someone with that person until ice would get here," says Colonel Harper. "With this system, we can detain them."

Even though federal agents have the ultimate authority to deport illegal immigrants, local law enforcement can save time by filling out the paperwork. But local officers won't be going after every illegal immigrant.

"If you're here illegally and committing crimes, then that's when I hope I get to see you face to face because I'm going to do everything within my authority to send you back where you belong and that's what the immigrations authority with ICE would allow me to do," says Farley.

The program won't cost these agencies anything. Rockingham County will be sending five deputies and Harrisonburg will be sending one officer to a five-week training program if their applications are approved. Even though this extra responsibility will create more work for local law enforcement, both Sheriff Farley and Colonel Harper tell me if it protects the community, it's worth it.