AKIN releases report on 287(g) and Detention Bed Contract

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) relies on local law enforcement agencies to increase the federal government’s capacity to identify, detain, and remove immigrants from the United States.

This report focuses on two programs – 287(g) and the detention bed contract – to highlight the expanding role of the Knox County Jail in supporting ICE’s efforts. First, this report briefly explains the 287(g) program, the detention bed contract, and how these programs work together as forms of police-ICE collaboration. Next, the report shares analysis of arrest and detention data from the Knox County Jail. More than two years of data indicate that the vast majority of people held for immigration consequences who are arrested within Knox County on criminal violations are charged with misdemeanor and nonviolent offenses. Hundreds more are brought into the Knox County Jail under ICE jurisdiction pursuant to the detention bed contract. Finally, the report notes some recent effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Knox County Jail detention data.

Read the report here.

Read the 2020 Knox County 287(g) Contract

Neither the Sheriff’s Office nor ICE has released a copy of the 287(g) memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed in May 2020. If you are interested in reviewing the recently signed contract, you can view it here: Knox County 287g MOA May 2020

One significant change from previous signed agreements is that the 2020 MOA does not require renewal; rather than expiring after one or two years, the current contract will exist in perpetuity. Sheriff Spangler – or ICE, for that matter – can still withdraw from the 287(g) program at any time.

Re-post: What is 287(g) and why do we oppose it?

Knox County’s 287(g) contract is up for renewal this year. From April to May, we are asking community members to participate in a series of weekly actions to urge Sheriff Spangler to decline to renew the contract. For the duration of the campaign, we will be re-posting 287(g)-related content on our website.

Original post here

By Meghan Conley and Fran Ansley

What is 287(g)?

287(g) is a voluntary program through which state and local law enforcement agencies can choose to have their officers trained and deputized to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The program uses local resources to enforce federal immigration law.[i]

What is the history of 287(g) in Knox County?

Former Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “JJ” Jones first applied to join the 287(g) program in 2009. Immigrants’ rights advocates in Knoxville and beyond mounted a hard-fought campaign in opposition to the proposal, and federal authorities eventually denied the sheriff’s application in 2013. Many in Knox County remember Jones’ alarming and dehumanizing response to this rejection: “I will continue to enforce these federal immigration violations with or without the help of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If need be, I will stack these violators like cordwood in the Knox County Jail until the appropriate federal agency responds.” In February 2017, Jones renewed his application. Despite local, state, and national objections, ICE approved the application in June 2017. The current sheriff, Tom Spangler, has signaled his approval for continuing the 287(g) program.[ii] 

Updated Infographic: Knox County Inmates with ICE Holds

What is 287(g) and Why Do We Oppose It (Updated)

Note: This version of our 287(g) explainer, from January 2019, is an updated and reposted version of our original explainer from June 2017.

By Meghan Conley and Fran Ansley

What is 287(g)?

287(g) is a voluntary program through which state and local law enforcement agencies can choose to have their officers trained and deputized to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The program uses local resources to enforce federal immigration law.[i]

What is the history of 287(g) in Knox County?

Former Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “JJ” Jones first applied to join the 287(g) program in 2009. Immigrants’ rights advocates in Knoxville and beyond mounted a hard-fought campaign in opposition to the proposal, and federal authorities eventually denied the sheriff’s application in 2013. Many in Knox County remember Jones’ alarming and dehumanizing response to this rejection: “I will continue to enforce these federal immigration violations with or without the help of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If need be, I will stack these violators like cordwood in the Knox County Jail until the appropriate federal agency responds.” In February 2017, Jones renewed his application. Despite local, state, and national objections, ICE approved the application in June 2017. The current sheriff, Tom Spangler, has signaled his approval for continuing the 287(g) program.[ii]

AKIN accepting requests for speakers!

AKIN is now accepting speaker requests for Fall 2018.  We have members who can speak on various immigration justice issues.

We will work with your organization or faith community to tailor a program to meet your needs. We have recently worked with several faith groups to speak at religious education classes.

To request a speaker,  please put “speaker request” in the subject line and send an email to weareakin@gmail.com.

We look forward to broadening the discussion about immigration justice in our community.

Transparency in Scheduling the 287(g) Meeting

Documents from a recent public records request indicate that KCSO changed the meeting date/time of the ICE KCSO 287(g) Steering Committee meeting on June 21, 2018, but the public announcement listed the incorrect time for five days.

On June 21, Captain Terry Wilshire (KCSO) emailed Elvira Acuna (ICE) to confirm the rescheduled joint ICE-KCSO Steering Committee meeting for July 11, 8:30 am. (You can read about the other changes to the date/time of the Steering Committee meeting here.)

However, KCSO’s Twitter and Facebook announcement of the meeting, posted June 21, stated that the meeting would take place at 11:30 am.

Infographic: The Truth Behind 287(g) in Knox County

AKIN Statement on President’s Comments

AKIN affirms that immigrants of all countries are welcome and vital members of our communities.

Yesterday, the President cast doubt on this by referring to Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries as “shithole countries,” and by expressing his preference for immigrants from Norway. As abhorrent as these comments are, they are just the latest in this administration’s stream of remarks premised on the idea of white racial supremacy.

We cannot allow the President’s racist comments to distract attention from the actual immigration policies that result from this line of thinking. The termination of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status), combined with the President’s push to end family-based migration and to criminalize immigrant residents, produces real harm in our communities.

Elected officials who pursue immigration policies in keeping with this administration are complicit in facilitating a racist agenda that tears families and communities apart, and harms our democracy. Many of our representatives – including Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “JJ” Jones, other local elected officials, and some members of the Tennessee General Assembly and the US Congress – fail to stand up for more just and reasonable approaches.

We call upon our local, state, and federal officials to do all in their power to support equitable immigration policies. In the short run, officials should terminate the Knox County 287(g) program and address the crisis facing DACA recipients and those stripped of TPS. In the long run, we need immigration reform that addresses the root causes of migration and ensures the security and dignity of all people.

Guide to meeting with your county commissioner about 287(g)

We are asking AKIN friends and allies to meet with their county commissioners about 287(g). Following are some guidelines for your consideration.

First, set up your meeting:

1. Call or email your commissioner and ask for a meeting on 287(g)

• Find contact info for commissioners here.
• Don’t know your commissioner? Look here.

2. Identify 1-2 people who share your concerns and who will join you at this meeting (we can help with this)

Next, figure out your goals for the meeting (here are our suggestions):