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Residents urge Rutherford County to end 287(g) agreement with ICE; commissioners hear months of testimony
Summary
At the Jan. 15 commission meeting, a string of public commenters urged Rutherford County to cancel its voluntary 287(g) agreement with ICE, citing recent national incidents and local fears; speakers asked the board for written boundaries, transparent reporting and to use budget leverage to press the sheriff to withdraw.
Dozens of residents packed the Rutherford County Commission chambers on Jan. 15 to press elected officials to end the county's voluntary 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ten people who signed up for public comment told commissioners the agreement has produced fear and harm among immigrant neighbors and urged immediate action. "I oppose the 287(g) and ICE's presence in Rutherford County," said Kathy Watts, a Murfreesboro resident, who also asked the board to stop requiring speakers to announce their home addresses aloud. Pamela Jones, another constituent, asked the commission to censure Commissioner Trey Gooch for what she described as "deeply unprofessional behavior" during a prior meeting.
Several speakers tied their concerns to highly publicized incidents elsewhere. "The recent murder of Renee Goode and subsequent ICE action in Minnesota is exactly why we keep coming up here," said Jacob Jones, who urged the board to end the agreement. Violet Walter recounted a local case she said illustrates direct harms from the county's participation, saying a resident, Esther Lopez Sanchez, was transferred to ICE custody after charges were dropped.
Other commenters asked the commission for written policies limiting where federal agents may operate and for transparent reporting so residents know who is responsible if constitutional violations occur. "When federal immigration agents operate in our county, residents deserve to know who is responsible for protecting us," said Holly Carden of Smyrna, asking the board to "ensure that Rutherford County law enforcement remains accountable first and foremost to people who live here."
Commissioners repeatedly acknowledged the comments and said the rules governing public speakers will be reviewed at steering committee. Commissioner Craig Harris said he would take up public-comment procedures at the next steering meeting and asked colleagues to email suggestions. The board did not take formal action on the 287(g) agreement during the Jan. 15 meeting.
The public-comment period is likely to remain a focal point: speakers said they will continue attending monthly meetings and urged residents to register and vote if they want change. The commission scheduled a steering-committee review of public-comment rules before Feb. 2.
