The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is addressing concerns about its cooperation with federal immigration authorities, saying the agency continues to work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a statement Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said it had been contacted by individuals concerned about the agency’s position on cooperating with federal agencies.
According to LCSO, misinformation has been circulating regarding the agency’s cooperation with ICE.
The sheriff’s office said it “has, and will continue to, cooperate with ICE in the arrest, detention, and transfer of individuals who are in violation of federal immigration law.”
LCSO provided statistics showing that its cooperation with ICE has involved hundreds of individuals.
The agency reported that:
- 271 individuals were transferred to ICE custody in 2025.
- 152 individuals have been detained for transfer to ICE through July 2026.
The sheriff’s office said the statistics, along with other agency data, are available through its online statistics page.
LCSO said deputies and personnel work with ICE and other federal agencies on a daily basis as part of the agency’s responsibilities.
“We will always enforce the laws of the United States of America and the State of Alabama, working alongside our local, state, and federal partners,” the sheriff’s office stated.
The agency also pushed back against claims that it does not cooperate with federal immigration authorities, calling such information “blatantly untrue.”
LCSO encouraged residents to verify information about agency operations and policies through official sources before accepting or sharing claims as fact.
The sheriff’s office’s statement comes as immigration enforcement and cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal authorities continue to receive attention across the country.
