As local business owners, employers, and community stakeholders in Hopewell, we are writing to urge the Sheriff's office to end its participation in the Warrant Service Officer Model 287(g) program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Our position is rooted not only in concern for the well-being of our community, but in the economic and business consequences that this agreement brings to our region.

287(g) Hurts Hopewell’s Local Economy

When local law enforcement becomes entangled with federal immigration enforcement, trust in public institutions erodes. Immigrant residents — many of whom are long-time contributors to our workforce and economy — may avoid shopping, working, or even sending their children to school due to fear of detention or deportation. Over 1 in 25 (4%) of all people who live in Hopewell are foreign-born. This includes naturalized citizens, green card holders, refugees, and more. This fear has a chilling effect on consumer spending, small business traffic, and overall community engagement.

Our businesses rely on a stable, diverse, and skilled labor force. The perception and reality of aggressive immigration enforcement can and will deter both undocumented and legally present immigrants from seeking jobs, staying in the area, or opening businesses. It also makes hiring more difficult, especially in sectors such as construction, food service, hospitality, and childcare workers.

Taxpayer Costs and Misallocated Resources

Although ICE may reimburse some costs, the 287(g) program places a significant financial burden on local law enforcement, requiring Hopewell taxpayers to subsidize federal immigration enforcement. Holding people in local and regional jails based on ICE detainer requests costs our local government money. According to a 2023 report State Compensation Board, the Hopewell City jail spent an average of $192.04 per inmate, per day in operating costs (salaries, food, etc) in FY22. In total, Hopewell covered 67% of jail costs, the state contributed enough to cover 20% and the federal government contributed just 1%. If each detainer request resulted in holding someone for an additional 2 days at the average operating cost per inmate, per day of $190.04  it would have cost an additional $380.08 to abide by all associated detainer requests for those detained at the Riverside Regional Jail..

These local costs could go up if there are lawsuits stemming from actions taken while executing ICE administrative warrants inside Hopewell City Jail. These resources could instead be used to improve community safety through evidence-based policing, mental health services, and youth programs that directly address local concerns.

Bad for Business Period

Entrepreneurs chose to open up businesses in Hopewell City due to its diverse client and employee base. Continued participation in 287(g) sends a message that runs counter to what is valued in the community. Ending this agreement would affirm Hopewell City as a place where businesses, and the community members who work at and support them, are welcomed.

We respectfully urge you to end the 287(g) agreement and reaffirm the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to community safety for all residents. Doing so will restore confidence in our local economy, foster trust between law enforcement and residents, and help ensure that Hopewell City remains a place where businesses and families can thrive.