Sheriff Richard Jones Seeks to Restore Agreement with ICE

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones has been re-elected for his sixth term and continues to take a firm stance on illegal immigration.

In 2004, he put up a sign reading «Illegal Aliens Here» with an arrow pointing to the county jail.

The sign has sparked divided reactions and has been taken down and reinstated multiple times over the past 20 years.

According to Jones, the sign was a response to government statements claiming they could not locate illegal immigrants.

Sheriff Jones Seeks to Reactivate Collaboration with ICE

«I showed them where they were—in my jail,» Sheriff Jones stated.

For years, the county jail participated in the 287(g) program, which allowed it to house ICE prisoners and collaborate with the federal government.

In 2021, Jones canceled the contract with ICE and stopped housing detainees awaiting immigration hearings.

Following Donald Trump’s re-election, the sheriff announced that he has resumed talks with ICE to regain 287(g) status.

«It’s a slow process, but it’s moving faster,» Sheriff Jones assured.

Three weeks into Trump’s second term, thousands of people have been detained by ICE across the country.

However, the county jail has not yet been approved to receive ICE prisoners.

Currently, there are detainees in the prison with ICE warrants, but all were arrested on state charges.

Sheriff Richard Jones estimates that in 2023, 1,400 undocumented immigrants passed through Butler County Jail for state crimes.

The sheriff defends his stance and states that he has been transparent about the issue for the past 20 years.