In a recent interview, Sheriff Chuck Jenkins of Frederick County, Maryland, credited former President Donald Trump’s border policies for positively impacting his community’s safety. Jenkins, a staunch supporter of stringent immigration enforcement, highlighted the benefits his county has experienced due to these policies.
Jenkins explained that Trump’s border policies have already begun to impact non-border states. Meade County Sheriff, Pat West, commented saying “We are seeing a big impact on the border. Methamphetamine and fentanyl [are] our biggest problems that we’ve had in the past, and it’s been running rampant. The shutdown of the border recently has already made an impact on us up north in South Dakota.”
Jenkins has been a vocal advocate for the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. Under his leadership, Frederick County has participated in this program since 2008, resulting in the identification and detention of numerous individuals in the country illegally. He asserts that this partnership has acted as a “virtual fence,” deterring criminal activity and enhancing public safety.
The sheriff also emphasized the financial implications of illegal immigration on local resources. He noted that processing and detaining individuals without legal status impose significant costs on the county’s budget. By enforcing immigration laws locally, Jenkins believes these expenses have been mitigated, allowing for better allocation of resources to other critical areas.
Jenkins’ stance aligns with the broader narrative of enhancing border security to protect American communities. He argues that robust immigration enforcement not only upholds the rule of law but also ensures the safety and well-being of citizens. His perspective reflects a commitment to maintaining order and addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration at the local level.
Rep. Johnson (R-SD) also commented on the impact of Trump’s border enforcement saying, “I know that people think that the federal government never gets its work done, but we have seen illegal border crossings down 95% just in the last 40 days of the Trump administration. That has been the White House and Congress working together. Great law enforcement officers like Sheriff West are seeing those impact in South Dakota communities.”
