Mecklenburg’s New Sheriff Ends ICE Enforcement Agreement

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mecklenburg County’s newly sworn in sheriff wasted no time in fulfilling a campaign promise made to voters to end the law enforcement agency’s voluntary immigration enforcement duties. One day after his swearing in, Sheriff Garry McFadden officially notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that the department was ending the 287(g) agreement that allowed the federal agency to operate inside the Mecklenburg County jail for the past 12 years.

“By ending this program, I will utilize unlimited office resources on preventing serious crimes and to improve public safety in our communities,” he said.

While the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office will no longer adhere to the 287(g) agreement, it will continue to comply with all federal obligations and state laws regarding sharing information regarding immigration or citizenship status, the office said.

In the 12 years since its inception, the agreement led to the deportation of 15,000 Mecklenburg County residents, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which contends the policy leads to increases in racial profiling.

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