Over 700 Latinos connected with local congregations, non-profits, and community groups from across Mecklenburg County turned out for a public accountability meeting with Sheriff Garry L. McFadden. 

Latinos demanded clarity from Sheriff McFadden about the county's 287(g) agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. 

The 287(g) program allows deputies to hold an individual in jail so that ICE may assume physical custody of the individual. Detainers are not arrest warrants, and do not provide probable cause for arrest. ICE does not compensate law enforcement for the additional cost associated with honoring immigration detainers. 

During the public meeting the Sheriff ratified the end of the 287 (g) agreements and promised to protect everyone regardless of their immigration status. The Sheriff agreed to meet regularly with the Latino leadership, promised to hire additional bilingual deputies, and create a new unit dedicated to working for/with immigrant families. 

The action was organized by the 13 organizations affiliated with the NC Congress of Latino organizations, a statewide network of Latino institutions affiliated with Metro IAF in North Carolina.