With a federal immigration agreement now active, trained Hamilton County jail deputies can interrogate, detain and process transfers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement when booking inmates with unverifiable citizenship status, according to the sheriff.
On Monday, Sheriff Austin Garrett confirmed the agreement’s launch when asked by a reporter after speaking to the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club on several topics. He’s said that the agreement, which was signed about a year ago, expedites the paperwork process for people with ICE detainers awaiting transport and already in custody on other criminal charges.
“I’ve not heard one compelling reason why not to do this,” he said during the meeting. “You elected me to keep this county safe, and as long as I serve you as your sheriff, I’m going to do everything in my power to do that and do it the right way.”
Hamilton County immigration enforcement is active, sheriff says
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Attendees at the political lunch club praised the sheriff, who is running without opposition for reelection, and asked him several questions, including one that prompted him to clarify his obligations as a sheriff to the state and county in overseeing the jail.