Jackson County sheriff says jail will use 287(g) warrant-service model; residents call for review

Sheriff Gary Schutte told the Jackson County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that the sheriff’s office has chosen the 287(g) warrant-service model, which allows corrections staff to hold people who have immigration warrants for up to 48 hours after release on state criminal charges.

The declaration prompted extended public comment, with residents urging the board to review costs, liability and the program’s impact on immigrant communities in Jackson County.

Schutte said the county’s model is limited and not the broader enforcement partnership some speakers feared. “So in the program that we have decided to go with, it is called the, warrant service model,” Sheriff Gary Schutte said. “And under the warrant service model, only when somebody is arrested for a criminal charge, a state criminal charge, and are inside of our jail in custody for a criminal charge… 287(g) under this model allows us to hold that person for a period of 48 hours after they've been released on the state charges.”

The sheriff emphasized the office will not be conducting home visits or making immigration-status determinations in the field. “This is not us partnering with immigration. This is not us knocking on doors. This is not us talking to people and trying to determine immigration status,” Schutte said. He added that the training for the program “is a training module that occurs via the Internet that the deputies can take while they work in their downtime,” and described background checks and other administrative steps as ongoing.

Public speakers pushed back. Amador Ibarra of Summit Township said the county’s enrollment “was not brought before the people” and asked the commissioners to request a county review of fiscal and legal liability. Gayla Ignacio, who said she helped form a local coalition called Jackson County For Immigrants, told commissioners, “At the very least, I think there needs to be a review of cost and liability.”

Other residents described fear in immigrant communities and economic impacts. Kathy Craft, who said she has worked with refugee youth, criticized the decision as a “propaganda stunt” and said the county should focus on other public-safety concerns. Shirley Schumann Allegre urged the board to consider that many immigrants pay taxes and contribute to the local economy.

Some commissioners and attendees warned of potential legal exposure. Commissioner Willis cited a recent out-of-county ruling, saying, “It was determined in January of 2025 that Suffolk County violated the fourth and 14th amendments of these 650 detainees. And as a result, the county was held liable for damages up to $60,000,000.” He said that potential liability was a reason to scrutinize any local participation in immigration detainer holds.

Other commissioners expressed support for the sheriff’s approach and noted limits to the board’s authority over an elected sheriff. “There's very little control we can do with the sheriff. We can control his budget, but we're not gonna cut his budget,” Commissioner Snell said. “The sheriff is an elected official. They have their duties that they have to do, and we don't get to interfere with that.”

No formal motion or vote on the 287(g) program was made by the Board of Commissioners during the meeting. Public comment on the item concluded before the board moved to other business.