IBX News

Cruz Javier Rivera-Perez, a 31-year-old illegal alien, was arrested on September 11 by Bluffton Police, and is facing serious charges of Assault and Battery in both the 2nd and 3rd Degrees. 

Currently held without bond, Rivera-Perez is also subject to an immigration detainer issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), signaling a potential escalation of his legal troubles. 

Details surrounding the incidents leading to Rivera-Perez’s arrest have yet to be disclosed, but the situation has reignited discussions about local immigration enforcement in the county.

Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner, who has been a vocal advocate for stronger local control over immigration issues, previously expressed a desire to reinstate the 287(g) program, which would enable specially trained deputies to enforce federal immigration laws. 

This program was significantly scaled back under the Obama administration in 2013. 

In a formal request to the Department of Homeland Security in 2017, Tanner emphasized that reactivating the program would address community demands for stricter immigration enforcement and assist in removing “the worst of the worst” from Beaufort County.

However, the proposed revival of the 287(g) program sparked vocal opposition in the community. 

Following Tanner's recent push to reinstate the immigration task force, dozens of protesters gathered in Beaufort County, chanting slogans such as “local cops, local jobs.” 

At the time, critics, including local advocacy groups, voiced concerns that such measures would damage relationships with immigrant communities and lead to racial profiling. 

Rivera-Perez’s arrest comes amid Tanner’s ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration.

In 2008, Tanner announced plans to investigate reports of widespread use of fraudulent documents among workers in Beaufort County. 

This announcement followed findings from county-hired auditors who uncovered significant evidence of counterfeit documents during recent business audits, raising alarms about illegal document-making in the area.

Tanner is a lifelong Beaufort County resident and has served as sheriff since 1998. Prior to becoming sheriff he held various roles within the Sheriff's Office since joining in 1981, including criminal investigator and commander of the Drug Task Force.