More than 100 people came out to the Dona Ana County Sheriff town hall in the village of Dona Ana. Almost all of attendees demanded assurances from the Sheriff- that department deputies will not share immigration status and information with Immigration Customs and enforcement or ICE.
Tensions have heightened in recent weeks with more sweeping ICE deportation actions occurring locally.
“It was a huge turn out.” Dona Ana County Sheriff Enrique Kiki Vigil said.
Vigil fielded question after question from a diverse and concerned crowd of immigrants, activist and residents.
“I made a very strong statement here; my deputies will not be enforcing immigration law nor are they agents of immigration and I can assure the public tonight.” Vigil said.
The department recently denied a request from the Department of Homeland Security to give deputies the authority to carrying out immigration laws.
Earlier this year President Donald Trump signed an executive order promising to withhold federal funding to what he calls sanctuary jurisdictions. It is not clear if the Dona Ana County Sheriff department would qualify for this kind of punishment, Vigil said they are still assessing whether that federal pressure would be legal.
“It is like a path that you don’t know what is going to happen. It is still very vague."
Vigil said limits of department funding and man power is another reason the force is focused on enforcing state and local law over federal immigration law.
According to County officials, the event drew a crowd larger than any seen Dona Ana County Sheriff town hall in recent years.