Immigrant rights groups are calling for an end to all cooperation between the Sheriff’s Office and federal agents following a detention at the county jail last week.
According to the Press Democrat, the incident occurred just days after supervisors approved a limited sanctuary ordinance that excludes the jail from many of its new restrictions. A woman waiting in the jail lobby reported that her brother was picked up by ICE agents in a restricted hallway before he could be released to his family.
While Sheriff Eddie Engram maintains that communication is limited to cases involving serious offenses, advocates argue the current policy still targets non-violent individuals.
The controversy comes ahead of a state-mandated public forum on May 12th, where the department’s interactions with immigration authorities will be under formal review. Critics warn that anything less than a total ban on collaboration leaves the community’s immigrant population vulnerable.
