Denton County Sheriff’s Office Partners with ICE for Immigration Enforcement

The Denton County Sheriff’s Office has entered into a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), enabling select deputies to assume certain immigration enforcement duties. This initiative marks Denton County as the first in North Texas to adopt the “task force model,” allowing deputies to arrest individuals they suspect are in the country illegally.

Under this agreement, deputies will receive training funded entirely by ICE, as confirmed by Denton County Sheriff Tracy Murphree. He emphasized the complexities involved, noting, “When our officers start handling some of these cases, they begin to be paid by the federal government, and so there’s a lot of things to work out with that.”

State Support for Immigration Enforcement

The approval of this partnership coincides with the announcement from Kelly Hancock, the acting Texas comptroller, regarding a new grant program designed to assist counties with associated costs. According to Hancock, counties can receive between $80,000 and $140,000 in grant money, which can be allocated for training and equipment needs.

Sheriff Bill Waybourn of Tarrant County expressed appreciation for the funding, stating, “We’re always struggling with funds, positions, and so forth like that. So, this is going to be a welcome dollar amount that will assist us in taking care of some of that.”

As part of a new Texas law, all sheriffs are mandated to establish some form of agreement with ICE by December 1, 2023. Currently, over 150 of the state’s 254 counties are participating in the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities.

Community Concerns and Local Perspectives

While the partnership aims to enhance immigration enforcement, it has raised significant concerns among immigration activists. Critics argue that such agreements may undermine trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. Bobbie J. Mitchell, a commissioner for Denton Precinct 3, acknowledged the community’s desire for safety but expressed apprehension regarding local agencies acting on behalf of federal officials. She stated, “I don’t think anybody had any problem with following the law… It’s just how it’s done, but those cities have a right to decide whether they want to be a part of the 287(g) agreement.”

Looking ahead, Collin County’s jail enforcement agreement with ICE is currently pending, while the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department has not joined the program as of now. With the approaching deadline for compliance, local sheriffs are assessing their options and the implications of such agreements on their communities.

The partnership between Denton County and ICE represents a significant shift in local law enforcement’s approach to immigration, reflecting both state mandates and ongoing debates about community trust and safety.