THREAD: clarke county

CLARKE COUNTY Sheriff Concedes: ICE Policy ‘Needs Improvement’ Following Student’S Tragic Death

07 March 2024 — The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office has conceded that its policy on declining Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests for undocumented immigrants “needs improvement”. This admission follows the murder of Augusta University nursing student, Laken Riley. The 22-year-old was allegedly slain by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela on the University of Georgia campus.

Sheriff John Williams, who ran his campaign on a platform of non-cooperation with ICE detainers, issued a statement in response to the public outcry. In 2018, his office altered its policy regarding foreign nationals booked into jail. This resulted in a refusal to hold inmates based solely on ICE detainers unless there was a judge-signed order. The change was influenced by public feedback, best practices review, relevant case law and legal advice.

Although Clarke County Sheriff’s Office is required by law to inform ICE when someone suspected or known to be a foreign national is booked into jail, holding someone solely based on an ICE detainer is seen as a warrantless arrest unless there’s a court order or warrant signed by a judge. Despite recent controversy and events, Sheriff Williams has upheld this policy since assuming office in 2021.

The brother of Laken Riley’s alleged murderer is reportedly connected to Venezuelan crime gangs. There are concerns within the FBI that members