The recent proposal for the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) Task Force Model is a concern for many in our community. This agreement would effectively deputize local law enforcement officers as federal immigration agents, a move that raises numerous issues around public safety, community trust, and the responsible allocation of law enforcement resources.  Firstly, the 287(g) program has a controversial history. Research conducted by the American Immigration Council highlights how such agreements often lead to racial profiling and civil rights abuses. We are already seeing what the 287 (g)Task Force Model involving law enforcement is intensively in immigration enforcement in our predominately Hispanic neighborhoods of Smith County.  It has already led to racial profiling and a breakdown in trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. It also strips local communities of control, forcing them to follow whatever terms the federal government demands. It sticks local taxpayers with the bill and takes money away from things that actually keep us safe. Entering into this agreement would expose Smith County to further costly litigation for potential constitutional and legal violations.  It does not make sense if the Sheriff’s department already covers this area of East Texas why the Constable would even want to take on this additional cost and liability.  Our county judge and commissioners should also remember that the jail went through a remedial order process due to failed inspections by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.  The inspection occurred between March 22 and 24, 2022. The TCJS inspectors found at least six minimum jail standards violations. Inspectors referenced the February 25, 2022, special inspection report, in which the TCJS warned the Smith County jail not to hold inmates in holding cells for more than 48 hours. TCJS inspectors also found a violation of the minimum standard that requires the status of persons confined to a violent cell be reassessed and documented at least every 24 hours for continuance of that status. Inspectors determined that documented reviews of inmates placed in a violent cell were not being conducted every 24 hours. TCJS inspectors also determined violation of a minimum standard regarding restraint chairs. TCJS inspectors, during the March 2022 inspection, when reviewing restraint chair logs, found that the required 15-minute observations were exceeded by as little as one minute and by as many as 10 minutes on multiple occasions. TCJS inspectors also found violation of the minimum jail standard regarding the number of jailers per inmates. Documentation revealed to TCJS inspectors that the Smith County jail failed to staff a central jail facility and north jail facility with no less than one jailer per 48 inmates, on multiple occasions, during the month of March 2022. TCJS inspectors also found that a Smith County jail employee was working without being licensed. Inspectors determined through a review of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records that a certain detention officer’s temporary jailer’s license expired December 20, 2021. He continued to work without a valid TCOLE license from December 20, 2021, until February 9, 2022. A temporary license requires no education or training. Finally, TCJS inspectors found violation of the standard requiring that inmates be given the opportunity to shower at least once every other day, or more often if possible. TCJS inspectors found that inmates kept in holding cells on suicide watch in the booking area were not given the opportunity to shower at least every other day, or more often if possible. Multiple inmates were found to be held in holding cells on suicide watch anywhere from five to 10 days without the opportunity to shower. This is simply inhumane. Join us in standing against this proposed agreement. Your voice is powerful—sign this petition today to STOP the 287(g) Task Force Model from coming to Precinct 4.