Most Tarrant commissioners court candidates in favor of 287(g), but want more data

When the Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted to renew the 287(g) program indefinitely, the vote was 3-2 along party lines, with Democrats voting against the program. Heading into the primary elections, only one Democrat seat is assured on the court, meaning it is unlikely there will be a change to the program. However, most candidates still want more data and accountability. Two seats are up for election in the primaries, precincts 2 and 4. Currently, the precinct 2 seat is held by Democrat Devan Allen, who is not running for re-election. Andy Nguyen, a Republican who held the seat before Allen, is running in the primary against Democrats Ruby Faye Wooridge and Alisa Simmons.

The Precinct 4 seat is occupied by J.D. Johnson, whose son, Joe D. Jody Johnson, is hoping to keep the family legacy in the role. The only other Democrat currently on the court is Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks in precinct 1. In July 2021, the county voted to renew the program indefinitely, despite dozens of people asking the county not to do so. The vote fell along party lines with the commissioners voting 3-2 to keep the program. The partnership allows sheriff’s deputies to identify undocumented inmates in the Tarrant County Jail and turn them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They do not need to be convicted, just charged with a crime. The commissioners agreed to an annual review of the program. Although many candidates support this, some questions about the agreement have yet to be answered. The 287(g) program helps keep communities safe, Precinct 4 Republican candidate Manny Ramirez said. He also said he believes the county owes it to the citizens to be good partners with federal and state agencies, and 287(g) allows the county to partner with a federal agency.