HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. () — More than a hundred residents of Hilton Head Island rallied on Friday, marching to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office with a unified request.
“Our purpose today is to urge Sheriff Tanner to terminate the 287g agreement,” stated Dulce Lopez, an Immigrant Rights Advocacy Strategist with ACLU South Carolina. “This agreement empowers local law enforcement by deputizing them to enforce federal immigration laws.”
Sheriff PJ Tanner explains that by opting into this voluntary program, Beaufort County deputies gain access to Homeland Security’s data, enabling them to identify outstanding warrants or charges that individuals may face internationally.
Tanner held a meeting on Wednesday where many residents raised concerns about what the proposal could mean for locals.
“This is what everybody was afraid of before” demonstrator Kevin Linarez said. “In the past, they thought just because of your color that you could get stopped, but they weren’t aware that we have rights and are protected by the constitution. Now, this is being taken away from us.”
Tanner said the plan is to use the database to get more info about anyone who is considered a suspect in a criminal case felony or misdemeanor, but demonstrators questioned what will actually happen.
“What happens when a person of color, a person like me is driving, and they’re trying to get groceries, they’re trying to drop off their kids at school. They get pulled over for a simple traffic infraction, and then they get put into the deportation machine,” Lopez said.
Another demonstrator said that the program would take time away from policing local needs.
“These aren’t criminals,” demonstrator Marci Gurton said. “They’re people who are going to work. They’re keeping Hilton Head running in hotels, restaurants. They’re helping to pick food. So, it’s really a waste.”
