[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6473095,"mediaKeyId","5760699-3554869b503bfa7bd3b2b459bca35c43","parentId",5760699,"title","Dozens of residents urge Rutherford County commissioners to end 287(g) cooperation with ICE","audioSeconds",2462,"startMs",1364000,"endMs",3826000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760699-3554869b503bfa7bd3b2b459bca35c43&start=1364&end=3826","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760699-3554869b503bfa7bd3b2b459bca35c43/thumbnail_1364000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6473095/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Dozens-of-residents-urge-Rutherford-County-commissioners-to-end-287g-cooperation-with-ICE","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473095-bc23eec34c3817be612b5088ed706b28/orig.mp4?Expires=1775278284&Signature=bwdPsrhvoNumMfUowcYKklT9KK23du~sE~T4R2A1zyEnzQyp6clbBTOaAxN0KssN11z4XlnPcUPumSfE3WNf7MaPooc883LX1NAh9CQiH89bfRYDlJrYmorvMx0Bcyp36i2uZ~rEy1IBN8DTj2FfvJDlnXrLgnwpWForyCIA58u4j2v6TeJhX0P0toG0KdJTFsnwQGQZeiawErhDM3iwAAQ~XrsHQ5-PUrhgNchPIJbJ2OkKO50hWUzVQHDNOvnRYkJ-DwaLQdrAuF5~2EKw~~PlkhYSHzIEG~WXsU1QpjEpQNX6~jZo~v6NnMPDQa60GuJz~vNFqlZjzSJPvD-kXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County, TN","date","2025-09-12T01:43:24Z","article","MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Dozens of residents used the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners’ Sept. 11 public-comment period to urge elected leaders to end or not expand the county’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a 287(g) agreement.

Speakers said the agreement undermines trust in local law enforcement and could expose the county to lawsuits, added operating costs and community harm. “I am terrified sometimes of our police officers. I'm a United States citizen and I have to carry 3 forms of identification on me at all times because I worry about my last name,” Rutherford County resident Amanda Hernandez said.

The comments came during the meeting’s public-comment segment after commissioners extended the allotted time so registered speakers could each take two minutes. Residents from across Murfreesboro and Rutherford County — including longtime local attorneys, teachers, students and representatives of immigrant-rights groups — urged commissioners to press the sheriff to withdraw from the arrangement or to adopt county-level limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Why it matters: Multiple speakers said 287(g) arrangements divert local resources to federal immigration enforcement, erode community trust and increase the risk of litigation. Attorney John M. Green, who said he has practiced law in Murfreesboro for almost 40 years, told commissioners: “The empirical and objective data have shown for many years that the costs to a municipality for such a relationship far outweighs any benefits, safety or otherwise.”

Speakers cited specific harms and national examples. Tatiana Silvis warned the county could “risk becoming a codefendant in a similar lawsuit” if it collaborates with ICE. Tatiana cited large jury awards in other jurisdictions as precedent for potential costs. Whitney Huffman, who said she votes in District 9, referenced federal research and local experience to argue the program does not reduce crime but increases jail and administrative costs.

Community advocates pointed to human impacts and public-safety tradeoffs. Luis Mata, government-relations manager for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and a Rutherford County resident, said, “For decades, every single model of 287(g) has shown us the same results. Families torn apart, trust between neighbors and law enforcement shattered. Our local resources drained.” Multiple speakers said immigrants already in the county contribute taxes and local labor and warned that fear of immigration enforcement deters victims and witnesses from contacting police.

Several commenters directly addressed Sheriff Fitzhugh’s public statements. Alex (last name not specified) said the sheriff “cannot somehow separate yourself ethically or morally from DHS while willingly and of your own accord doubling down on a partnership with DHS.” Speakers asked whether the sheriff’s office will receive federal funds tied to 287(g) duties and whether local practices would change for low-level offenses.

What the meeting record shows: The Sept. 11 transcript records extended public comment and extensive opposition to the 287(g) agreement but does not show a formal motion by the board to end or to modify the county’s relationship with ICE. Commissioners allowed the public-comment extension and heard speakers from roughly 9:05 p.m. through the subsequent public-hearing agenda item.

Voices at the podium: Speakers included Amanda Hernandez (Rutherford County resident, Smyrna), Alex (resides in Murfreesboro), Christine Jensen (zip code 37128), Ashley Binkarski (resident, District 21), John M. Green (attorney, Murfreesboro), Tatiana Silvis (North Spring Street resident), Jorge Avila (MTSU student), Patricia Haney (Murfreesboro resident), Luis Mata (government-relations manager, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Rutherford County resident), Abigail Watson (lifelong Murfreesboro resident), Whitney Huffman (District 9 voter), Arturo Salomon (Murfreesboro resident), Matt Ferry (Rutherford County resident), Anna Carina Lorenzana DeWitt (District 16 resident) and others who addressed 287(g).

Limits and next steps: The transcript does not record a board vote or directive to staff on the 287(g) arrangement; it records public concern and requests that commissioners act. Multiple speakers urged commissioners to seek transparency about any federal funding tied to the agreement and to consider terminating the county’s participation. The board did not vote on the topic during the meeting.

Community context: Public commenters referenced national and regional examples of litigation and alleged civil-rights harms tied to local cooperation with ICE. Several speakers said fear of enforcement has already deterred residents from calling emergency services and that increased enforcement resources would reduce funds available for local priorities.

The meeting record shows the board accepted public comment and then proceeded to scheduled agenda items, including a rezoning public hearing and a series of formal votes on resolutions and confirmations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Commission Meeting - September 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of Rutherford County residents used the Sept. 11 public-comment period to call on commissioners to end or not expand the county’s cooperation with ICE under a 287(g) agreement, saying the arrangement erodes trust in police, increases costs and risks legal liability.","taxTitle","Rutherford County, Tennessee","taxId",4625,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6473089,"Rutherford County commissioners approve health‑care resolution, land purchase and zoning; multiple confirmations and committee elections also pass",5134,670000,5804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760699-3554869b503bfa7bd3b2b459bca35c43&start=670&end=5804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760699-3554869b503bfa7bd3b2b459bca35c43/thumbnail_670000.jpg","/articles/6473089/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Rutherford-County-commissioners-approve-healthcare-resolution-land-purchase-and-zoning-multiple-confirmations-and-committee-elections-also-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473089-c0d89ec256816f05d5488756daa0bd3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775278284&Signature=AZTdlcZovZUO3l5FH1g3j70W5LRUNyiHBBPRDMDHFOds4bFMyLAkB2cJKs5bL71GVGQuUk-Ch3vRbTynZZvTAhDdEM6sybvNWDgi9Mhep~XK8B67BvbA7hA~qCES3yjBoZH6VOcuWfbO0TzYOK9jPp69dTcQ8EZXS7MESIypp7Tma99~1CLseNf5ko4NsGYVpgaSX6oemjXIofLDu7v-e0WO7VWAKeSA7gdITyhnyGYG6a-6C2PJCJw-bse1HGDYBnlXekOA9ZA-afpaJWyWJUiPklT2jdhQFcfr4qjpJCd2jjwq6nUymmR-2KXs28SSLT1N4pOjrgw~2orawoRFEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — At its Sept. 11 meeting the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners approved a series of resolutions, confirmations and elections including a resolution supporting two proposed freestanding emergency facilities, a rezoning request for a Chestnut Valley subdivision expansion and a county school‑system land purchase totaling $12,985,600.

Most significant votes

Resolution supporting TriStar and Ascension Saint Thomas freestanding emergency departments — Approved. Commissioner Phil Dodd, chair of the Health and Education Committee, read and moved a joint resolution expressing the board’s formal support for HCA TriStar Health’s proposed TriStar Murfreesboro ER and Ascension Saint Thomas’ planned freestanding emergency department in the Las Casas area. The resolution encouraged the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to approve the applicants’ certificate of need filings. The motion carried by voice vote; a second was recorded but the transcript does not name the seconder.

Rezoning: REZ25‑017 (Waldron Enterprises, 7721 Valley View Road) — Approved. Planning Director Doug DiMasi described the request to rezone approximately 19.7 acres from Agricultural Residential (AR) to Residential Medium Density (RM) to extend the adjacent Chestnut Valley subdivision. The planning commission recommended approval 9–4–1. Commissioner Pettis Reid moved approval; a second was recorded. Commissioner Piercy announced he would not vote because of a contract disclosure. The motion passed by voice vote.

Resolution of sympathy for Kathy Rogers Brandon — Approved. Commissioner Robert P. read and moved a condolence resolution recognizing Kathy Rogers Brandon’s service and community involvement; the motion carried.

Preliminary bond resolution (Health and Education Facilities Board) — Approved. The board approved a preliminary resolution authorizing issuance of revenue bonds for the acquisition, rehabilitation and equipping of Colony Square Apartments, a multifamily housing facility at 500 Rock Springs Road in Smyrna. The item was moved and carried on the record as a preliminary bond resolution.

Purchase and funding for school land (5405 Lee Road) — Approved. The board approved buying approximately 161 acres at 5405 Lee Road for Rutherford County Schools for $12,985,600. Funding was split between leftover project funds from other capital projects ($3,350,800.50) and the general purpose school unassigned fund balance ($9,634,799.50). The motion passed with the vote recorded as 19 yes.

Consent agenda, notaries, confirmations and committee elections — Approved. The board approved a consent agenda and confirmed a slate of notaries and several board appointments, including Kurt Leahy to the Codes Enforcement Adjustment and Appeals Board and Lois Miller to the CCRC board. The board also confirmed members for the ethics committee. Standing committee chairs and officers were elected by acclamation during the meeting.

What the votes do and do not do

The TriStar/Ascension resolution is a formal statement of county support and asks the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to approve certificate-of-need applications; it does not itself authorize construction or regulatory approvals. The rezoning vote changes the zoning classification for the Waldron Enterprises parcel; any subdivision design, drainage or traffic mitigation will be reviewed in subsequent planning and engineering steps. The land purchase for the school system authorizes the county to acquire the property using the described funding sources.

Who spoke on the record

Commissioner Phil Dodd (moved TriStar/Ascension resolution); Commissioner Pettis Reid (moved rezoning approval); Doug DiMasi (county planning director, presented the rezoning request); Chairman Pro Tem Trey Gooch (moved consent agenda); other commissioners participated in nominations, confirmations and committee elections recorded by acclamation.

Meeting context

The board conducted routine organizational business for the 2025–26 commission year, confirmed standing committees and officers, and heard an extended public‑comment period (largely focused on 287(g) and ICE-related concerns). Several items that received votes tonight require later administrative steps (planning commission review, certificate-of-need decisions by the state commission, closing on real estate transactions).

Next steps and follow-up

The TriStar/Ascension applicants will proceed with their certificate-of-need processes with the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission. The Waldron parcel will move through subdivision review if the developers pursue a design. The school system will complete closing on the Lee Road property according to the funding amendment the board approved.","At its Sept. 11 meeting the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution supporting two freestanding emergency facilities, a condolence resolution, a rezoning request, preliminary bond authorization and a $12.99 million school‑land purchase, and confirmed multiple board appointments and committee officers.","actionData","errors"]

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Dozens of residents urge Rutherford County commissioners to end 287(g) cooperation with ICE

Rutherford County commissioners approve health‑care resolution, land purchase and zoning; multiple confirmations and committee elections also pass