Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents and neighbors sharply divided over Greene County sheriff's cooperation with ICE; many call for audits and transparency
Summary
Dozens of residents and clergy spoke during public comment about the Greene County Sheriff's cooperation with ICE: many demanded budget audits, an end to federal partnership and greater transparency after recent detentions; others, including local veterans and party committee leaders, defended the sheriff and said cooperation with federal law enforcement is lawful and needed.
A prolonged public-comment period at the Greene County Board of Supervisors drew dozens of speakers sharply divided over the sheriff's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Several residents, clergy and community leaders urged the board to audit sheriff funding, disclose how federal contracts and grants were used, and stop partnering with ICE. Others, including veterans and local Republican committee leaders, defended Sheriff Steve Smith and urged continued cooperation with federal authorities.
Cynthia Ward (speaker 25) told the board she wants an audit of the sheriff's budget and how funds were used "to target Hispanic and Latino residents and visitors." Ariana Mosqueda (speaker 11) said collaboration with ICE has "instilled fear and caused division" and demanded that the board "do everything in your power to help protect the immigrant families of Greene County." Reverend Bethany Coke (speaker 28) and Rabbi Ezra Levinthal (speaker 31) urged the board to stop partnering with ICE and to consider reductions in funding if the sheriff continues those operations. Several speakers described specific cases they said illustrated community harm, including a 13-person workplace detention and the case of Juan Gutierrez Ramirez (described by speaker 18), who faces deportation after a DUI conviction and left behind a pregnant wife.
At the same time, speakers such as Doug Ollivant (speaker 29) and Todd Sampson (speaker 23) publicly supported the sheriff and federal enforcement, saying enforcement of federal immigration laws is a lawful duty and a matter of public safety. Board members listened, reiterated the limits of their operational control over constitutional officers, and said staff would ensure compliance and respond with available information. One board member asked county staff to provide litigation-cost figures related to a separate case and to prepare breakdowns for public reporting.
