Image Credit: Knox County Sheriff’s Office / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Republican Knox County Commissioner Andy Fox was preparing a resolution to encourage the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) to expand its participation in the federal 287(g) immigration program, but later announced he would not be pursuing the measure after meeting with the Sheriff and finding the department does not have enough operational funding to expand into any ventures beyond its current capacity.
KCSO has been participating in the 287(g) program under the Jail Enforcement model for over five years, allowing the department to identify and process illegal aliens who are already in jail on other charges.
But Commissioner Fox was planning to urge KCSO to increase its involvement in the program by joining the Task Force model which would allow KCSO to play a more active role in immigration enforcement.
Under the Task Force model, after specific training and certification, officers could “enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties,” according to ICE.
“With the Task Force model, local law enforcement is authorized to be proactive, instead of merely waiting for illegal aliens to come across the desk, so to speak,” Fox said. “Harm from illegal immigration to Knox County citizens does not only occur when a crime is committed. Illegal aliens use up medical resources at emergency rooms that cannot decline services on the basis of citizenship or ability to pay, they tax educational resources, often commit social security fraud, and compete for housing and jobs with Americans and legal residents. There is nothing noble or redeeming about illegal immigration.”
And while Sheriff Tom Spangler was seemingly supportive of the expansion in general, the realities of an underfunded department are causing Commissioner Fox to back off his proposal.
Fox’s resolution was originally scheduled to be presented to the Knox County Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 14, but after speaking with Sheriff Spangler, Fox has decided not to pursue the measure at this time as the department has “perennial deficiencies in operational funding.”
According to Fox, and confirmed by the Sheriff, KCSO has asked for more resources but has not received them, leading to staff shortages and a lack of funding and space for a large influx of prisoners. Fox relayed that he is, “alarmed by the unmet budget requests.”
“Because Sheriff Spangler’s hands are tied by circumstances beyond his control, I will not pursue this resolution encouraging the 287(g) Task Force model. Instead, I am going to make it a priority to bring the funding problem to the attention of Knox County citizens,” Fox said. “Sheriff Spangler has done a magnificent job of providing law enforcement to Knox County with the resources he has been allotted. However, it is unfair to Sheriff Spangler and the deputies, corrections officers, and staff to expect Knox County Sheriff’s Office to continue to operate on objectively insufficient funds.”
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
