Charleston County Makes Massive Step to End Agreement with ICE

This Tuesday, the newly elected Sheriff, Kristin Graziano, signed the revocation of Charleston County’s 287g agreement with ICE that allowed members of the Sheriff’s department to essentially fulfill some of the roles of immigration officers and allowed ICE to have an active presence in the county jail. This is an important first step in moving Charleston County in a more positive direction in regard to immigrant rights. It means that it will be less likely that a small legal infraction will lead to someones deportation or family’s breaking up.

Charleston County was only 1 of 4 counties in the state of South Carolina to have such an agreement with ICE. It was somewhat surprising given the political dynamics of the country which trend in a more progressive direction. However, it was due to the actions of former sheriff, Al Cannon, who was adamant about the agreement and refused to relent even when it became a campaign issue in 2020 and hurt his re-election chances.

Something similar happened in Mecklenburg County (NC)in 2018 when the newly elected sheriff ended their 287g agreement. ICE responded with revenge on the immigrant population and arrested many immigrants in response to the county’s actions. We must be vigilant about something occurring here in Charleston County. For one, there are still about two weeks where Trump will be in power and may want to send a strong message on the way out to county’s like Charleston County who rejected these policies of xenophobia.

Even under the Biden administration, there is a danger that ICE could still follow out a similar policy as there is no guarantee that Biden will make rapid, dramatic changes in the department, and there is also a chance that the xenophobic individuals that often fill the positions in ICE will try to undermine a more inclusive direction that the Biden may try to take.

Despite these possible issues, it is a time to celebrate in Charleston County. The election of Kristin Graziano seemed like a long shot when she stated that she would run last year. However, it shows the importance of local elections and the possibility of making real, tangible change. Let’s support this new direction that Charleston County is taking and be ready to raise hell if ICE tries to take out their xenophobic vengeance on vulnerable immigrant populations in Charleston County.