DUBUQUE, Iowa — During the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, Sheriff Joe Kennedy addressed his decision to opt out of the ICE 287(g) program, citing limitations in resources. On March 7, 2025, ICE extended an invitation to Sheriff Kennedy to join this program, which assigns immigration enforcement responsibilities to local law enforcement through various models, including the Jail Enforcement Model, Task Force Model, and Warrant Service Officer—an initiative expanded by President Trump’s Executive Order 14159 issued on January 20, 2025, targeting criminal aliens.
Kennedy expressed concerns regarding the existing pressures on the Dubuque County Jail, highlighting that 160 out of its 181 beds were occupied even during the “slow season,” with expectations of increased numbers in the summer months. He noted that previous collaborations with larger agencies often placed local departments at a disadvantage and mentioned that the jail is unable to accommodate federal inmates, a practice that has significantly diminished since the onset of COVID-19. While declining to participate in the program, Kenneth confirmed that he is willing to assist ICE with warrants as needed, but emphasized that ICE must secure alternate housing for any detainees.
When a supervisor inquired about the possibility of including a Warrant Service Officer, Sheriff Kennedy responded that his deputies are already tasked with serving warrants on a daily basis. Concerns were raised about Dubuque being labeled a sanctuary jurisdiction by the Trump administration, which could jeopardize federal funding. Sheriff Kennedy remains committed to prioritizing local safety and resource management.
