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Highland Lake council deadlocks, declines to sign ICE 287(g) memorandum of agreement
Summary
At a Jan. 13 special meeting, the Highland Lake Town Council voted 3-3 on a motion to sign a memorandum of agreement to participate in the ICE 287(g) program; the motion failed after the council recorded that its insurer would not provide coverage.
Highland Lake — The Town Council voted 3-3 on Jan. 13, 2026, failing to approve a memorandum of agreement that would have joined the federal ICE 287(g) program, after council members reviewed written responses from federal officials and learned the town’s insurer would not cover participation.
Mayor Gail Bailey called the special meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. at The Anchor. Council members reviewed handouts of questions and responses provided during an online consultation with Bryan Pitman, identified in the meeting record as a Detention and Deportation Officer with the New Orleans Field Office. The packet and discussion focused on Alabama SB53 and the federal 287(g) program.
Council members discussed the potential risks and benefits of participation and considered insurance implications. The meeting record states that AMIC, the town’s insurance carrier, will not provide coverage for participation in the program at this time. Town Attorney Alex Smith said he would contact AMIC to obtain more information about coverage and liability before the council takes further action.
After the discussion, Council member Wes Faulkner moved to sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the ICE 287(g) Program; Council member Carl Randall seconded the motion. Faulkner, Randall and Council member Ramzi Malek voted yes. Council members Bobby Rhodes and Anne Rilling and Mayor Bailey voted no. The 3-3 split resulted in the motion failing.
With no further business, Council member Carl Randall moved to adjourn; Wes Faulkner seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
The council did not adopt any new policy or authorizing action related to 287(g) at this meeting. Town Attorney Alex Smith's follow-up with AMIC was recorded as the next step.
