EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — Sheriffs from across Texas have different views on how to handle the end of Title 42.
They seem agree that they have no way of knowing what's ahead when the the Trump era policy ends.
“The
influx of people that are coming in is going to be quite a bit more
than what we’ve been dealing with,” said Sheriff Arvin West from
Hudspeth County.
Sheriffs in border cities across the state are preparing for the end of Title 42
They told KFOX14 they are working with limited resources.
“Up and down the border sheriff’s offices, police departments, they’re all short handed,” said West.
While
sheriff’s offices across the state prepare, with limited resources,
for the expected increase of migrants at the border when Title 42 ends,
El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles takes a different stance.
“Local law enforcement should not enforce immigration law. That’s a federal responsibility,” Wiles said.
Wiles
said the sheriff’s office is in constant communication with Border
Patrol and the Department of Public Safety to help combat illegal
smuggling, drugs, and human trafficking, but not immigration, unlike
other sheriff’s offices in the state.
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“We’ve met and we’re ready to assist,” Sheriff Eddie Guerra Sheriff from Hidalgo County said.
Most sheriffs' said there is only so much they can do.
“We
still have to respond to all the calls of service that come within our
country. We're very limited in how we can help, but if the need is
there, we will respond,” Guerra said.
Wiles said the only thing that will lighten the load for local law enforcement is federal change of immigration laws.
“So
we can concentrate on a law enforcement perspective on people who would
smuggle drugs into the United States, who would engage in crime in our
border communities,” Wiles said.
Wiles said he doesn’t anticipate a significant increase in numbers.
He is expecting most of the migration to be seen in other counties east and south of El Paso County.
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