Lee County, Alabama Sheriff Jay Jones spent nearly three decades refusing to participate in the 287(g) program that helps local law enforcement work with ICE and CBP on immigration enforcement. On Tuesday, voters told him to pack his desk — by 307 votes.
You had ONE job, Jay. Well, several jobs. But "enforce the law" was definitely on the list.
Cameron Hunt, a former Lee County deputy, beat Jones 51% to 49% — pulling 9,301 votes to Jones's 8,994. The kicker? Jones actually fired Hunt for having the audacity to run against him. That's right — the sheriff who wouldn't enforce immigration law DID find the energy to terminate a deputy who dared to challenge his authority. Priorities.
The 287(g) program is voluntary. It allows local sheriff's offices to assist federal immigration enforcement by holding illegal immigrants for ICE and Customs and Border Protection. It's not complicated. It's not controversial — unless you're a law enforcement officer who apparently thinks "law enforcement" is more of a suggestion than a job description.
Hunt campaigned specifically on the issue, telling Lee County voters — home to Auburn University, by the way — that their sheriff's office should actually cooperate with federal authorities on immigration. Voters agreed. Narrowly, but they agreed.
And here's the part that makes this story absolutely perfect: Jones fired Hunt for launching the campaign. Think about that for a second. A sheriff who refused to do his job terminated someone for wanting to do the job better. You can't make this stuff up.
Not the Bee reported on the result, and it's exactly the kind of story that restores a little faith in the democratic process. Sometimes the system works. Sometimes voters pay attention. Sometimes 28 years of tenure isn't enough to protect you from accountability.
Let this be a lesson to every sheriff, police chief, and local official who thinks they can ignore federal immigration law and face no consequences. The voters are watching. They might be patient — 28 years patient, apparently — but eventually they'll find someone willing to do the job you won't.
Cameron Hunt takes over in Lee County. Something tells me the 287(g) paperwork is already being filled out.
