Teacher urges Berkeley County to withdraw from 287(g) partnership, says immigrant community is being targeted

Lisa Cathro, who identified herself as a public school teacher, told the commission she submitted a letter to the sheriff and asked the county to withdraw from the 287(g) partnership.

"I am once again here to discuss, our sheriff's office involvement, and targeting of our immigrant community," Cathro said. She told commissioners she requested a meeting with Sheriff Blair and had not received a response. Cathro disputed the sheriff's prior statement that the partnership only formalized work already occurring, saying, "This is a new practice, that has come about because of this partnership." She added that some legally present community members are now afraid to go grocery shopping for fear of harassment by police.

Cathro verbally offered copies of a letter she said she left with the sheriff's office and asked the commission to withdraw Berkeley County's participation in the 287(g) program. The commission did not take formal action on her request during the meeting; no motion or vote to change the county's participation was recorded.