The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office will host its annual steering committee meeting about the 287(g) program with a presentation from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday, December 10.
Henderson County residents and local groups will hold a press conference at the Henderson County Courthouse before the meeting to speak about how the program has led to family separation, encourages widespread racial profiling, and harms the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
The press conference by local groups and residents will take place at 9:00 am, with the steering committee meeting beginning at 10:30 am. All residents are encouraged to attend and voice their opinion.
Henderson County is one of only four counties in North Carolina voluntarily collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through a 287(g) agreement. The 287(g) program has a documented history of encouraging widespread racial profiling, diverting law enforcement resources, and harming relationships between local officers and the communities they serve. Henderson County has participated in the program for 11 years.