Charleston Sheriff Clashes with Rep. Mace Over Immigration Enforcement Claims

Charleston County Sheriff Responds to Immigration Claims

Charleston, S.C. – In a dramatic exchange that has captured local attention, Sheriff Kristin Graziano has openly fired back at U.S. Representative Nancy Mace’s accusations against her office regarding immigration enforcement. Just a day after Mace made her remarks, Graziano stood before reporters, her feelings evident as she described the congresswoman’s claims as “full of s—.”

What’s the Hubbub About?

The tension began when Rep. Mace alleged that Graziano’s administration has been “systematically dismantling immigration enforcement” in Charleston County. She claimed that Graziano’s office has ignored “at least 51 ICE detainer requests” since 2021. Mace further asserted that ICE recognized Graziano’s office as a “non-cooperative institution”, meaning that they do not inform ICE about releasing non-citizens who have received a judge’s order.

In her defense, Graziano countered that Mace doesn’t fully grasp the legal responsibilities of her position and is using the sheriff’s office as a political pawn. “If she doesn’t like the law, she has the power in Congress to change it, yet she’s failed to do that,” Graziano stated. “She’s trying to put a wedge into a local election,” she continued, clearly frustrated.

The Financial Angle

One crucial part of the debate revolves around the costs involved in participating in the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to engage in certain immigration enforcement duties. According to Graziano’s office, maintaining this program puts a significant financial burden on Charleston County taxpayers. It costs the county about $132 per day to house an inmate, while ICE only reimburses $65 per day. This discrepancy means that constituents are required to shoulder the remaining expenses.

Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Communications Director Amber Allen stated, “To participate in 287(g), it costs a lot of money on the Charleston County taxpayers and it is a huge demand on our workforce at the detention center.” Graziano mentioned that the cost for housing inmates under the 287(g) program has increased over the years, complicating the decision for local law enforcement.

Setting the Record Straight

In response to the criticisms, Graziano provided statistics from her office that show how they handle immigration holds. Their guidelines state: “The SACDC will only hold residents for ICE if they have an I-247, a detainer and Immigration Order signed by an Immigration Judge.” Currently, Graziano’s office has 13 individuals being held under such orders, emphasizing that they “have never refused an order from a judge.”

Moreover, Graziano’s spokesperson, Alexis Douglas, dismissed claims that the sheriff’s office failed to honor a detainer for an individual charged with solicitation of a minor. “If we had [received an order from a judge], we would have held them,” Douglas insisted.

What’s Next?

Not stopping there, Mace has now requested documents from ICE concerning Graziano’s compliance with detainer requests. Her office has asked for specific communications and documents regarding detainer requests issued to Graziano’s office, setting a deadline of October 15 for these records to be submitted.

Community Reaction

The people of Charleston County are watching closely as this story unfolds. As Graziano pointed out, she is focused on protecting her community and curtailing violent crime, which has seen a downward trend in recent times. It seems that both politicians are carrying a heavy load as they navigate these charged political waters.

As this story develops, it’s clear that the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in Charleston County will not only influence local politics but could also impact community relations and public safety. Stay tuned for updates as this engaging discussion continues.