Since the announcement of Sheriff Hillhouse’s decision to join the 287(g) program, hundreds of community members have expressed fear, concern, and a feeling that they are no longer fully safe or represented in the place they called home.

Across the country, reports of deaths and serious incidents connected to immigration enforcement and detention have raised concerns about accountability, oversight, and the protection of human life. We don’t want Henderson County to be the next place where a tragedy happens. We want our residents to be safe and for our county to continue to be a place where every person is able to seek help, report crimes, or interact with local institutions.

In this county all know each other, we share churches, we are neighbors, coworkers, classmates, business owners, and friends. As a resident of the county we believe that when decisions impact public safety and community trust they should be made openly, with transparency, accountability, and meaningful public input.  Because a community cannot thrive when our friends, family and neighbors are afraid of institutions that are supposed to serve and protect them.

With this petition our goal is to ensure that decisions affecting Henderson County are made openly, with meaningful public input, and with the safety and dignity of all residents as the priority.

What We're Asking For:

• Transparency: Make the full 287(g) agreement, policies, and procedures available to the public.
• Public Input: Hold a public meeting where residents can ask questions, share concerns, and hear directly from county leaders.
• Accountability: Provide regular public updates on how the program is being used and what results it is achieving.
• Open Communication: Keep residents informed about any future changes and give the community opportunities to provide feedback.
• Respect for Community Input: Elected officials serve the people who chose them. Residents’ voices and concerns should be heard and considered when decisions impact our community.
• Community Safety: Henderson County deserves policies based on facts and local needs. With reported crime rates declining, residents are asking for transparency about what problem the 287(g) program is intended to solve and what evidence will show whether it improves safety.

We respectfully ask the County Sheriff, Botie Hillhouse and Commissioner Court Members  to listen to residents, prioritize transparency, and commit to an open conversation about the future of the 287(g) program in Henderson County.

A strong community is built on trust, accountability, and the belief that every resident’s voice matters.

***Disclaimer: As of now we are not asking for Donations! Please just sign and share the petition. Any donation made here go to the platform not the campaign.