Clark County Quorum Court OKs ICE funding

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By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com

Clark County justices of the peace voted Monday to create a revenue fund to receive money from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) program.

It is federal money provided by ICE, which is providing participating law enforcement agencies across the nation with $15,000 per officer for equipment and technology, as well as an additional $100,000 stipend for vehicles that is available. The funding is akin to the county receiving money from the Arkansas Department of Corrections for holding state prisoners when needed.

The measure passed by a majority vote after much discussion among justices. District 2 Justice Michael Ankton, an Arkadelphia Democrat who’s vying for the county judge’s seat, abstained from casting a vote in the decision.

Most discussion revolving around the ICE funding apparently happened in committee meetings, held ahead of the full quorum court meeting. Sheriff Jason Watson, who fielded questions and concerns during those committee meetings, was present Monday but was not asked to speak. In a later interview with The Arkadelphian, the sheriff explained how the funding works.

Arkansas legislators in 2025 passed Act 654 declaring there be no sanctuary areas in the state. The law required county jails to notify ICE if they held any undocumented, wanted immigrant in their facilities. Earlier this year and in conjunction with that state law, the feds began offering a trio of programs to law enforcement agencies in counties across the U.S. Of the three programs available (warrant service, jail enforcement, task force), Watson said he chose the task force model, and explained how it works.

“There is a chance for us to receive federal funding in the course of our regular business,” Watson said. “We’re not doing anything out of the ordinary. If we come across someone we believe to be an illegal immigrant, the only thing we will do differently is call ICE.” Over the phone, an immigration officer will interview the detained individual, and after a 3- to 4-minute conversation the ICE officer will direct the deputy to either release the individual or make an arrest.

“I started throwing scenarios out there because I don’t want what we’ve seen on TV to happen in Clark County,” Watson said of his conversations with the feds. “So if we are in contact with a single parent and a child, I’m not calling DHS to separate them.” Further, Watson said deputies will not be harassing people who don’t break the law. Illegal aliens using Interstate 30 to smuggle drugs or traffic humans, however, have another thing coming, Watson warned.

Signing up for the federal program makes the sheriff’s office eligible to receive $15,000 per deputy who signs up for the training. One interaction or detainment per annual quarter gives the sheriff’s office eligibility for the program, Watson said. Any funding or equipment directed to the sheriff’s office will remain within that department, explained the sheriff, so should the county opt out of the program at any time, any purchases made with the funding will remain property of Clark County.

“There’s not going to be anybody in masks hiding their identify, no out-of-town officers working. There will be no actively searching for anyone, whether we get a penny or not.” the sheriff explained. “That’s not OK with us, and [the feds] assured us there isn’t going to be any of that.”

At Monday’s meeting, Democratic justices, and one Republican, had plenty to say on the topic.

Justice Vanilla Hannah (D) rehashed that Watson assured her that, with the funding, local law enforcement “would not be out tracking down people deliberately. It would be instances where something was obvious, maybe somebody crossing state lines with something that looks suspicious.”

Justice Garry “B.J.” Johns, a Republican who is Amity’s police chief, said the equipment and technology would be used “when [lawmen] come in contact with [undocumented immigrants] in whatever day-to-day activities, like a traffic stop or an accident, something like that. It isn’t a huge task force that is searching down people and wearing masks, the crazy stuff you see on TV.”

Though he voted in favor of the measure, Justice Llewellyn Terry (D) urged caution. “I think we need to be aware of where we are — let’s be real — and what we are seeing on TV,” he said, voicing concerns over transparency from law enforcement agencies and their own training. ICE, he added, brings to mind erosion of community trust, damaged relationships, and a strain on local resources. “Local law enforcement agencies face higher risks of lawsuits than any other, so I just want us to be aware of what we’re doing, what’s happening when ICE comes in, because I know Arkadelphia does not like to be on the news. I’ve got my camera.” The Arkadelphia pastor and son of a Civil Rights activist concluded with these remarks: “When we have immigrants that are not thugs and not trying to wreak havoc, the Bible teaches us to receive them, accept them, and welcome them in our community.”

Justice Zach Bledsoe (D) said he sponsored the ordinance based on his support for the sheriff and his department. “They are good people. They treat people with respect,” Bledsoe said. “You can’t just snap your fingers and fix immigration in our country. … I feel comfortable supporting it because of our leadership here and our sheriff’s department.” Bledsoe said the sheriff had assured him that police will not be separating children from their immigrant families, nor will they be “knocking down people’s doors and trying to find people. … So I’m at peace with this. … We do have bad actors on our interstate. There’s drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and guns come into this county. … I believe we can support our law enforcement.”

County Judge Troy Tucker reminded justices that the ordinance can be withdrawn at any time they or the community feels like it’s being abused.

At the motion of Bledsoe and a second from Justice Jenna Scott, the motion to adopt the ordinance carried.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct earlier reporting that Justice Michael Ankton’s abstention counted as a dissenting vote.