By Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio
A sheriff in northeast Iowa has rejected an offer to make voluntary agreements with ICE to help enforce immigration laws.
After Dubuque County Sheriff Joe Kennedy said no to ICE, he says he heard from the National Sheriffs’ Association. The group said the Dubuque County department could land on a list of agencies accused of obstructing immigration laws.
Kennedy told the county board of supervisors some participation with ICE is required, but the department cannot spare the staff or jail space to do more.
“We are a partner to their agency. Having that been said, we do not want to get into a binding agreement where they have the ability to control our employees, and we just think that that’s what’s in the best interest for our county residents.”
Ninoska Campos told the Dubuque County supervisors at their meeting Monday she supports that decision. Campos is part of a civil rights complaint filed against the Iowa State Patrol after a traffic stop where she and other Latino workers were questioned about their immigration status. That was after the state agreed to form an immigration task force with ICE. Campos spoke through a translator.
“We urge the board of supervisors to join the sheriff in saying no to racial profiling and no to local cooperation with ICE.”
Others told the county board the sheriff’s office should do anything it can to support the Trump administration’s deportation goals.
Kennedy says he will work with the agency when required by law.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety signed an agreement with ICE last month creating a task force of officers who would be deputized to carry out immigration enforcement.
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