TAKING A STAND — One of three to speak out against ICE, Gurdon’s Roosevelt House addresses members of the Clark County Quorum Court during its November meeting. Photo by Joel Phelps/arkadelphian.com
By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com
ARKADELPHIA — Members of a local advocacy group voiced strong opposition Monday evening against Clark County’s potential partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing concerns over racial profiling and federal overreach.
Representatives from the local chapter of Men United, a predominantly African American organization, addressed the Clark County Quorum Court regarding its September decision to establish a dedicated fund to accept federal dollars for local law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Three members spoke while more than a dozen others watched from the audience.
Through participation in ICE’s 287(g) program, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office is eligible for a stipend to buy police vehicles and up to $15,000 for law enforcement technology and equipment per deputy trained in the program.
“It’s bad news when a lot of us in America listen to what [President Donald Trump’s administration] now talks about immigrants,” Men United member Doug Nelson told justices. “The only one that’s original is the Native Indian, and the rest of us are immigrants.”
Group members expressed deep concern that deputizing local law enforcement under 287(g) could lead to systemic racial profiling and wrongful detentions of Black citizens. Black immigrants account for about 6% of people in ICE detention nationwide, according to a 2022 report by the American Immigration Council.
“There are a lot of people that could look like an immigrant — then be detained, taken somewhere and not knowing where they are,” said member Aubrey Hill. “I’m concerned about that, and everybody should be concerned.”
Member Roosevelt House added that his concern centers on “the young Black man: He’s in trouble and don’t know it,” warning the court about the corrupting nature of government power.
Sheriff defends decision
In response to a formal list of questions submitted by Men United, County Judge Troy Tucker requested Sheriff Jason Watson address the court.
Watson clarified that federal funding will not increase deputy salaries, but stressed that offsetting jail operational costs is vital for the county’s constrained budget.
“I’ve been working as your elected sheriff for over 16 years, and I’ve cut my budget every year,” Watson said. “We scrape to get by every year. … It’s absolutely foolish of me, as a steward of the taxpayer dollars, not to take advantage of it.”
Watson noted that no ICE operations have taken place since the fund was created, adding that he has not encountered a field ICE agent in his 30 years in law enforcement. While acknowledging he cannot control federal agents, Watson vowed to keep the peace and dismissed fears of local raids.
“The thought that [ICE] is coming in and targeting any individual in our community is false,” Watson said.
Justice Zach Bledsoe, D-Arkadelphia, who sponsored the fund’s establishment, defended the decision and urged residents to avoid online misinformation.
“I trust you as my sheriff with this program,” Bledsoe said to Watson, adding that ICE is not conducting local workplace raids. “There are a lot of misconceptions in the community about this… Quit listening to stuff on social media. That’s part of the problem.”
Judge Tucker closed the discussion by reiterating that the court’s intent was strictly financial, creating a framework to capture revenue should federal authorities use the county jail. Tucker recalled a 2005 unannounced federal raid at a local poultry plant during his tenure as sheriff, emphasizing that officials want to avoid a repeat of that incident.
“I would encourage you if you find out that’s not the way it’s being done in Clark County, visit the sheriff, he’ll get to the bottom of what’s happening,” Tucker concluded.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
