McLennan County court records sheriff’s 287(g) agreement with ICE after hours of public opposition
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Summary
After more than an hour of public comment urging the county to avoid a task‑force enforcement model, the McLennan County Commissioner’s Court voted Jan. 6 to ratify and memorialize the sheriff’s memorandum of agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Texas’ Senate Bill 8. Sheriff’s office officials said the county will certify a limited number of deputies after 40 hours of ICE training.
The McLennan County Commissioner’s Court on Jan. 6 voted to ratify and memorialize a memorandum of agreement between the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the state’s recently enacted Senate Bill 8.
The decision followed a multi‑speaker public comment period in which immigrant‑rights advocates, faith leaders and residents urged the court to adopt the warrant‑service or jail‑based compliance models rather than the task‑force model. Blake Burleson of the Heart of Texas Network for Immigrant Rights warned the task‑force approach “would divert deputies from fighting violent crime” and “erode trust between law enforcement and Hispanic families.” Several speakers described fear among mixed‑status households and urged postponement; others said the county has until December to comply with the law.
Sheriff’s Office Captain Jason Barnum and Chief Deputy Cody Blossman told the court the office submitted a letter of interest and a memorandum of agreement on Dec. 12, 2025 and opted for the task‑force model after reviewing options. Barnum said participation will require designated McLennan County deputies to complete a 40‑hour online course provided by ICE and that deputies may exercise limited immigration enforcement authority only after completing that training and as directed by ICE. Blossman said the sheriff’s office had identified one investigator to be certified immediately and that Barnum, as supervisor over the program, also intends to complete the training.
Commissioners pressed sheriff’s staff on whether the model would deputize patrol deputies, who would be trained, reporting obligations and the potential fiscal impacts. Sheriff’s staff said they do not intend to train all field deputies and that some immigration‑related duties are already being carried out in the local jail by ICE employees. They also said the task‑force option avoids creating a new full‑time county position that the jail or warrant‑service model might require.
Judge Felton moved to "ratify the actions" and memorialize the agreement in the court minutes. The court recorded a voice vote in which Commissioners Smith, Wilson, Jones, Perry and Judge Felton each responded "Aye." The motion passed. The court recessed for five minutes afterward.
Why it matters: County leaders and residents disagreed over the local consequences of complying with state law. Supporters of the warrant‑service or jail models urged a delay to observe how other counties implement the law; sheriff’s officials said the task‑force model fits existing resources and includes training and ICE oversight. The ratification places the memorandum in the county record and signals the sheriff’s chosen implementation path, though sheriff’s staff said the office can re‑evaluate model choice later.
What’s next: County staff and the sheriff’s office said they will continue to communicate with the court and the public about implementation, and deputies identified for training must complete required ICE coursework before exercising the limited authorities described in the agreement.
Quotes
"Every hour that a deputy spends transporting or detaining residents for ICE is an hour not spent on stopping violent crime," said Blake Burleson of the Heart of Texas Network for Immigrant Rights during public comment.
"We've identified one investigator; and then Jason Barnum, the supervisor over the program, intends to go through the training as well," Jason Barnum, captain, McLennan County Sheriff's Office, told the court.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to ratify and memorialize the sheriff's 287(g) memorandum of agreement: Passed by voice vote (Commissioner Smith: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye; Judge Felton: Aye; Commissioner Jones: Aye; Commissioner Perry: Aye).
Authorities and documents referenced
- Texas Senate Bill 8 (implementation referenced by county staff and sheriff’s office) - Memorandum of agreement between McLennan County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (submitted 12/12/2025)
Ending: The court recorded the ratification and said it would remain in the minutes for posterity; sheriff’s staff said the office will evaluate implementation and report back if changes to the chosen model are considered.
