Buncombe County Sheriff Department Will Not Honor ICE Detainees

Tuesday the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department announced at a press conference they will not honor ICE detainees.

Sheriff Quentin Miller said in a statemtnt “I understand that I will be attacked for this policy directive, maybe even by ICE. However, a detainer request is not a valid warrant... If ICE, the DHS or any law enforcement agency provides a valid criminal warrant that person will be handed over to that agency," 

Miller said that Buncombe County Detention Center will honor criminal warrants signed by judicial officials.

The sheriff's department will continue complying with state and federal laws but that making and enforcing immigration laws are not part of their law enforcement duties.

“It is vital that members of our immigrant community can call the Sheriff’s Office without fear when they are in need of assistance from law enforcement. Our deputies are expected to treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of the color of their skin or the language that they speak,” Sheriff Miller said.