Pinal County Attorney Faces Legal Challenge Over ICE Agreement
The clash between Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller and the County Board of Supervisors has intensified, reaching the courtroom. At the heart of the dispute is an agreement Miller forged with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which the county leaders argue was done without their consent.
Last year, Miller independently signed a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Such agreements typically empower county sheriffs to collaborate with federal authorities on immigration enforcement, including questioning individuals about their status and detaining those suspected to be undocumented. Notably, it’s uncommon for county attorneys to enter into these agreements, which Miller did without notifying the County Board of Supervisors.
Despite the board’s insistence that Miller terminate this arrangement, he remains defiant, maintaining that the agreement is still valid. More details on his stance can be found here. In response, the supervisors initiated legal action against him, resulting in a temporary restraining order to halt the agreement.
In a Tuesday statement, Miller contended that the board’s influence is limited to fiscal matters, emphasizing his position as an elected official. He argued that the board lacks jurisdiction over his non-financial responsibilities, asserting that their lawsuit is baseless. Miller remains committed to collaborating with ICE, aiming to combat significant issues like human trafficking and drug smuggling impacting the county.
