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Jim Wells County approves MOU with ICE to allow one jailer to perform 287(g) duties
Summary
The commissioners court approved a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow one Jim Wells County jailer to receive training and perform certain immigration-related interviews and functions; county officials said federal funding is tied to 287(g) participation.
Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on March 10 approved a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that will allow the county to assign one jailer to perform certain immigration enforcement duties under a 287(g)-style arrangement.
Sheriff Joseph Godbaker told the court the agreement is needed because “a lot of our federal funding is gonna be tied to what they call a 287 g county.” He said the county is not currently a 287(g) jurisdiction and described the MOU as a step to permit one trained jailer to act in an immigration-officer capacity when a criminal noncitizen is booked. “This agreement would allow one of our jailers…to basically deputize that jailer as an immigration officer so that we require that that all of the law that allows him to be questioned as to citizenship and in those type of regards, that were covered in that aspect legally,” the sheriff said.
Court members asked logistical questions about staffing and availability. The sheriff said the assigned employee would perform the immigration-related duties as a collateral duty while working his regular jail shift and would receive training to comply with federal and state law. A commissioner asked specifically whether the named jailer would be available through the week; the sheriff responded the jailer would continue his regular shift and carry out the duties when relevant arrests occurred.
A motion to approve item number 6 as presented was made from the bench and seconded; the court approved the MOU by voice vote. Following the vote, Sheriff Godbaker said he would provide the signed agreement and would like the court also to sign it.
The court did not specify a timetable for implementing the training or identify the jailer by full name in the public minutes during the discussion recorded in the transcript. The MOU and related paperwork will determine training schedule, specific duties, and any conditions attached to federal funding eligibility.
