Resident urges Clermont County to suspend agreement enabling county deputies to act on ICE warrants

Sylvia Reeves of Miami Township used the public comment period to ask the Clermont County Board of Commissioners to review and suspend the county's memorandum of agreement that allows specially trained county deputies to arrest and transport individuals on ICE warrants. Reeves said training and recent ICE operations have raised questions about excessive force, property damage and inadequate post‑incident coordination and asked the board to suspend the memorandum approved Oct. 29 and seek reimbursement for transport and housing expenses related to ICE arrests.

Commissioner Painter responded during member comments that Clermont County's jail is not a 287(g) ICE‑approved facility and that the county's cooperation is different from full 287(g) participation. He noted the sheriff has deputies with ICE‑related training and stressed the sheriff's priority is protecting county residents. Painter said the county cannot meet some 287(g) facility requirements — such as physically separating detainees in dedicated facilities — because the jail lacks the necessary infrastructure. He also stated the commissioners approved expenditures they deem necessary for sheriff operations and said he would not support reimbursing ICE for costs.

Reeves reiterated concerns about ICE training and called for stronger emphasis on de‑escalation. The exchange did not produce a formal suspension or policy change at the meeting; commissioners asked the speaker to consult with the sheriff's office for further discussion.