Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery is closely monitoring the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holds in the county jail due to concerns President Donald Trump's new immigration policies could strain resources.
So far, Lowery said there has not been a change in the number of ICE holds.
"The holds that we see are what we've been doing a normal course of business," Lowery told 1819 News. "We've long held ICE detainees, so it's not something new to us."
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ICE holds are only housed in the facility for 72 hours. They are picked up from Baldwin County twice a week to be taken for hearings.
The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office has a contract to hold 100 federal inmates, including ICE holds. Lowery said there have been times they have exceeded contract numbers, but due to working with multiple federal organizations, that is expected on occasion.
Lowery said he has been in talks with the federal government about adding federal prison beds to the jail.
"I have communicated directly with ICE about the possibility of adding bed space for them, and that's something that I'm certainly going to try to do because I believe in doing this," Lowery said.
Going forward, Lowery said he will continue to work with the feds to help in any way possible. After a trip to the border last year, Lowery believes illegal immigration should be a priority for law enforcement.
"I think the key there is going to be communication and we've opened the door with them and talked with them about keeping those lines of communication open," Lowery said. "And we're going to participate and actively help and assist them in doing what they need to do."
While Lowery says illegal immigrants play a part in criminal activity in Baldwin County, he doesn't feel they have stretched county resources any more than other criminal activity. However, he said if there is a change in how local agencies handle illegal immigrants, that could cause a strain.
"If some of these laws change or some of our abilities change as far as the number coming in if we get to the point where we're able to enter into some type of operating agreement with the federal government and we can then go out and arrest on our own, then that might impact our ability in the jail or strain our resources," said Lowery. "But at this point, it has not."
The addition of a tower at the jail is expected to be completed by late summer. Lowery said that could allow for an increase in bed space.
As for taxpayer dollars, Lowery said the federal government pays for detainees.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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