We ask the Franklin County Sheriff to end the Sheriff’s Office’s participation in ICE’s 287(g) program.

Franklin County has serious crimes that demand local attention, including violent crimes, financial crimes, and many others that affect our community. We want the Sheriff’s Office’s time, staffing, and resources focused on investigating those crimes and keeping residents safe.

Beyond the misuse of local resources, participation in this program creates a climate of fear that directly harms local families and children. Parents worry constantly about being separated from their children, and children carry the heavy emotional weight of wondering if their family will be intact when they return home from school. Simple, everyday activities—like driving to work, running errands, or taking children to medical appointments—have become sources of intense anxiety and fear, particularly for people of color who face increased uncertainty and scrutiny on the road. No resident should have to live in fear while performing daily tasks essential to providing for their family.

Please terminate every current 287(g) agreement between the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and ICE, including any Warrant Service Officer, Jail Enforcement Model, and Task Force Model agreements or related addenda. Please provide ICE with written notice as required by each agreement, and publicly confirm when the notices have been sent and when the termination takes effect.

We also ask the Sheriff’s Office to commit not to enter into new 287(g) agreements with ICE.

Residents deserve a clear answer about how their local law enforcement works with federal immigration authorities. Ending these agreements would allow the Sheriff’s Office to focus its resources on local public safety, relieve unnecessary strain on local families, and help build trust between law enforcement and the people it serves.

We are asking the Franklin County Sheriff to end all current 287(g) agreements and decline future participation in the program.

Currently, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office participates in ICE’s 287(g) program, a federal initiative that enables local law enforcement to act as immigration enforcement agents. While the intent behind this collaboration might stem from concerns over immigration, the reality is that it diverts essential resources and manpower away from pressing local issues. Franklin County should not be in the business of enforcing federal immigration policies when there are pressing matters at home demanding immediate attention.

According to the American Immigration Council, local law enforcement agencies participating in the 287(g) program often report decreased community trust and cooperation, crucial elements in solving local crimes and maintaining public safety. The initiative can lead to racial profiling and the wrongful detention of individuals, including U.S. citizens, thus straining community relationships.

The program has significant financial implications, requiring reviews, additional training, and deployment of personnel resources. These funds and efforts could be better allocated to crime prevention programs, community policing, and technological advancements that directly benefit our neighborhoods.

In realigning the priorities of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, we urge Sheriff XXX to terminate any and all existing 287(g) agreements with ICE. By doing so, we can refocus the county’s law enforcement resources on solving and preventing crimes, thereby creating a safer and more harmonious environment for all residents.

Let’s work together to ensure our community's safety and integrity remain the primary focus of Franklin County’s law enforcement. Join us in calling for an end to the 287(g) agreements by adding your signature to this petition.