**Tyler Witnesses Large Protest Against Smith County's ICE Partnership**
TYLER, Texas – Hundreds gathered in downtown Tyler on November 11, 2025, to protest Smith County's new 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Demonstrators assembled outside the Smith County Annex, located at 200 E Ferguson St, Tyler, TX, where the Commissioners Court convenes, voicing strong opposition to the imminent partnership.
The controversial 287(g) agreement permits specially trained Smith County jail personnel to perform functions typically carried out by federal immigration officers. Under this arrangement, individuals arrested and brought into the county jail will be screened for their immigration status. If found to be undocumented, ICE will be notified, potentially leading to a detainer and subsequent deportation proceedings.
Critics at the protest expressed profound concerns, arguing the agreement could disproportionately target undocumented immigrants, leading to family separations and racial profiling. Speakers warned that such policies could foster fear within the community, deterring individuals from reporting crimes or seeking essential services like medical care due to worries about their immigration status. Additional concerns were raised regarding the potential financial burden on Smith County and whether the program genuinely enhances community safety or merely creates widespread apprehension.
Smith County officials have defended the partnership. Judge Neal Franklin stated the initiative aligns with the county's responsibility to follow federal law. Sheriff Larry Smith reiterated this sentiment, emphasizing that the agreement serves as a mechanism to enforce federal law and facilitate the removal of individuals committing crimes while residing in the country illegally.
The demonstration was organized by several groups, including the East Texas Human Rights Group, LUPE, the Immigrant Rights Coalition, and the Texas Organizing Project. Among the speakers was Maria Salazar, a mother of three, who shared her anxieties about the agreement's potential impact on her family. Reverend David Vasquez, a local pastor, discussed the moral implications of the policy, while student Juan Lopez spoke about its existing effects on his friends and relatives within the community.
The Smith County Commissioners Court has already voted to proceed with the partnership, which is anticipated to be fully activated in early 2026. This development marks a significant policy shift for the region, sparking considerable public discussion and debate throughout Smith County and beyond.
