Sheriff Garrett defends partnership with ICE
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Sheriff Austen Garrett defended a partnership with ICE Monday.
This was during a talk with the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club during their weekly meeting.
In the light of recent protests against the sheriff’s office partnership with ICE through their 287 (g) program, Sheriff Garrett asserted that he feels it is in the best interest of the county to continue it.
His office takes part in ICE’s Jail Enforcement Model, which allows the sheriff’s office to send illegal immigrants who find themselves at the Hamilton County Jail to ICE custody.
The office releases data every month on the amount of arrestees that are reported to immigration enforcement.
The most recent data, which is for February, showed that 24 people arrested that month were undocumented.
Sheriff Garrett told the audience that when they recieve an inmate, “We don’t know if the person coming through our jail is illegal or overstayed a visa, or isn’t on one of those watch lists.”
He added that he felt like the responsibility of being part of the program extended beyond just Hamilton County.
Sheriff Garrett said, “Why would I not do my job and help support the federal government and their mission of keeping the homeland safe while we keep the county safe.”
We have heard from those opposed to the program, as they argue it is unnecessary.
However, Sheriff Garrett asserted that he has not any convincing arguments against the program, saying that his experience touring the border leads him to believe this is a necessary partnership.
He recalled, “They had dead bodies, people executed. Men and women raped. Drugs pouring across the border. Now there’s some people coming here for the American Dream. But there’s also people coming here for terror and to create a nightmare.”
Over 50 other counties across the state have similar arrangements with ICE.
In addition, he discussed some of his office’s accomplishments, including a 20 percent reduction in crime across unincorporated portions of Hamilton County, and numerous grants that his office has received.
The Sheriff is up for reelection this year unopposed.
