The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement clarifying the details of its jail-based 287(g) program, a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following a public meeting held on Wednesday.

The Sheriff’s Office addressed misconceptions and concerns raised by the community regarding the program, which has been in place since 2018. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the 287(g) program focuses exclusively on individuals arrested for crimes within Floyd County, ranging from traffic violations to violent offenses, who are identified as being non-U.S. citizens. During the booking process, ICE may place a hold on these individuals for up to 72 hours, allowing them time to take custody and transfer the individual to an ICE facility for further processing. The statement emphasized crucial limitations of the program, explicitly stating that:

* Deputies are **not** authorized to question individuals about their immigration status during routine public interactions.

* The program does **not** allow for arrests solely based on suspicion of being in the country illegally.

* The program does **not** permit the use of roadblocks or home inspections to verify immigration status.

* The 287(g) agreement holds **no** authority outside of arrests made within the jurisdiction of Floyd County.

The Sheriff’s Office further stated that they have engaged in discussions with the Rome Police Department and the Floyd County Police Department to address concerns regarding immigration enforcement, assuring the public that none of these agencies are conducting operations to enter homes, schools, businesses, or other private locations to search for undocumented individuals. Residents who believe they have been subjected to racial profiling or any inappropriate actions by a member of the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office are strongly encouraged to file a report at https://www.floydsheriffga.gov/contact-us. All claims will be thoroughly investigated.

The Sheriff’s Office reiterated its commitment to transparency and integrity in serving the community. They also clarified that, with the signing of HB 1105 by Governor Kemp, Georgia Sheriffs are now mandated to collaborate with federal immigration authorities when an individual in custody is suspected of being in the country illegally. As the office is already engaged in the 287(g) program, they are fully compliant with the new legal requirements, ensuring proactive adherence to federal standards.