Erath County votes to allow sheriff to withdraw from 287(g) jail-enforcement MOA with ICE

The Erath County Commissioner’s Court voted May 26 to permit the sheriff’s office to withdraw from the Department of Homeland Security’s 287(g) jail-enforcement Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The sheriff told the court the county does not want to serve as a long-term holding facility for ICE detainees and described the current practice as deputies arresting or assisting with arrests, then ICE typically picking up detainees within a short period. "Long story short, we don't want to be a holding facility for them," the sheriff said. He added deputies and patrol activities will remain available to assist ICE, but the jail is not suited for holding and the county lacks space and resources for long-term detention under the 287(g) model.

Commissioners discussed training, facility upgrades and staffing that would be required to hold detainees under a full 287(g) arrangement and said the county could revisit participation in the future if circumstances changed. The court recorded a motion to allow the sheriff’s office to withdraw; the motion was announced in the minutes as moved by Commissioner Edwards and seconded by Commissioner Buck, and the court approved the action by voice vote.

Why it matters: Participation in a 287(g) MOA shifts certain immigration-enforcement responsibilities to local law-enforcement agencies and can require training, staffing and facility commitments. Withdrawing from the MOA means the county’s jail will not be used for long-term ICE detention, though deputies may continue to assist in operations where appropriate.

What’s next: The sheriff’s office will complete the administrative steps needed to terminate or withdraw from the MOA and coordinate with ICE as required by the agreement’s terms; the county did not provide a timetable in open session.