May 17,2025

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – On March 7, 2025, David Bindert, a Deportation Officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), invited Dubuque County Sheriff Joseph Kennedy to participate in the ICE 287(g) program, which delegates immigration enforcement tasks to local law enforcement under ICE oversight. The program, expanded by President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14159, aims to enhance community safety by identifying and removing criminal aliens through models like the Jail Enforcement Model, Task Force Model, and Warrant Service Officer program.

In a March 10, 2025, response, Sheriff Kennedy declined participation, citing concerns about resource strain. With Dubuque County Jail’s 181 beds nearly full at 160 inmates during the “slow season,” Kennedy anticipates increased capacity issues in summer. He noted past partnerships with larger agencies often left local departments disadvantaged and stated the jail lacks space to house federal inmates, a practice largely discontinued since the COVID-19 period. While expressing no animosity toward ICE, Kennedy offered direct assistance for arrests but emphasized that ICE must arrange alternative housing for detainees.

Kennedy’s decision reflects local resource priorities while maintaining willingness to collaborate with ICE on a case-by-case basis.

Source County Records