Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones says he believes the forum he hosted on Tuesday evening accomplished what he set out to do, which was to educate the public about law enforcement and immigration.
Jones was joined by guest speaker and acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan. Both attempted to clarify the respective roles in law enforcement and the working relationship between the two departments.
Sheriff Jones joined Amy Lewis and Dan Mitchinson on Facebook Live during the KFBK Morning News on Wednesday to review the forum. That video is just below.
The forum last for over an hour and became loud and contentious at times with protesters outside and those supportive of illegal immigrants inside the Sacramento. Sheriff Jones warned those who disrupted the forum by shouting out comments that they would be eventually be removed from the packed Sacramento County Youth Gym and several people were forced to leave.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg was critical of the forum shortly after Jones announced his plans to bring Director Homan to Sacramento. Steinberg called the Homan visit "cynical" and "mean." He suggested the forum would not ease local fears about how immigration enforcement works.
During the forum Steinberg asked Jones, "Will you assure us that your (deputies) will not become deputized ICE agents here in Sacramento?" The sheriff responded, "I can assure you that we do not do that."
Sac Sheriff: Immigration Forum Features ICE Director
By KFBK News