Fulton County Jail Could Get Federal Immigration Agent

By MICHELLE WIRTH

The Fulton Commission will soon consider whether a U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agent will be able to work inside the Fulton County Jail.
Credit Alison Guillory / WABE

Fulton County could soon reach a new agreement with federal immigration officials. It comes amid a national discussion on “sanctuary cities.”

Local governments that get the controversial label of a “sanctuary city” generally have policies or laws that limit the amount they cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The proposed agreement in Fulton County would let an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent work inside Fulton's jail. The agent would be funded with federal money.

If the county commission and the Fulton sheriff’s department sign off on the plan, the agent would be able to check the immigration status of county prisoners.

“We will not honor the detainer, but they're more than willing to investigate these subjects while they're in jail on lawful charges and then take whatever action they consider necessary thereafter,” said Colonel Mark Adger, Fulton's chief jailer.

Currently, the county holds someone for federal immigration officials only if that person is being held under a warrant. Adger said that policy won't change under the agreement. The plan could come up for a vote as soon as next month.

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