U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will provide additional overtime pay to its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division agents, a decision that has gained support from an association representing federal agents.
John Morton, ICE director, signed overtime waivers providing eligibility to the immigration enforcement agents. Following Morton's decision, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) praised the move.
"By signing the overtime waivers, Director Morton has ensured that the dedicated law enforcement officers in ERO will continue to be compensated for their long hours of work," according to a release from FLEOA.
"Director Morton understands that protecting our homeland is a budgetary priority, and I commend him for his willingness to fund those carrying out ERO'S vital overtime operations," FLEOA's president Jon Adler said in the release.
Prior to the signing of the waiver, numerous ERO officers were on the verge of reaching the agency's $35,000 annual overtime pay cap. This would have prevented them from working beyond their regular tour of duty.
In May's Operation Cross Check, ICE agents from all 24 ERO field offices in the nation arrested more than 2,400 criminal aliens with convictions in 50 states, reported FedAgent.com.
FLEOA also supports the "sustained implementation of the Secure Communities" fingerprint initiative, according to the release.
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