DUBUQUE, Iowa — At Monday’s Dubuque County Board of Supervisors meeting, Sheriff Joe Kennedy defended his decision to decline participation in the ICE 287(g) program, citing resource constraints. On March 7, ICE invited Kennedy to join the program, which delegates immigration enforcement to local law enforcement through models like the Jail Enforcement Model, Task Force Model, and Warrant Service Officer, as expanded by President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14159 to target criminal aliens.

Kennedy highlighted the strain on the Dubuque County Jail, with 160 of its 181 beds occupied during the “slow season,” anticipating a summer surge. He noted past partnerships with larger agencies often disadvantaged local departments and said the jail cannot house federal inmates, a practice largely halted since COVID-19. While declining the program, Kennedy affirmed he would cooperate with ICE when needing assistance with warrants in his county, but insisted ICE must arrange alternative housing for detainees.

A supervisor asked why a Warrant Service Officer couldn’t be added, to which Kennedy replied his deputies already serve warrants daily. Concerns were raised about the Trump administration labeling Dubuque a sanctuary jurisdiction, potentially risking federal funding. Kennedy remains focused on local safety and resources.