CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- During his campaign, Garry McFadden, the Democratic nominee for sheriff, promised to end the federal partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Community members held a news conference Thursday morning about the pending end of 287(g) and its impact on the Hispanic community.

Advocacy group Comunidad Colectiva believes Garry McFadden's landslide victory over incumbent Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael shows county voters are against 287(g).

“I think Latino immigrant families can feel a little more comfortable, a little bit less weight on their shoulders that soon, very soon, people won't have to be fearful that driving to the Wal-Mart may not put you in deportation proceedings,” said Stefania Arteaga, Comunidad Colectiva.          

If you're unfamiliar with 287(g), the federal program allows the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department to flag jail inmates for deportation proceedings. The county's agreement says either ICE or the sheriff’s department can opt out of the screening program at any time.  

Community activists also want McFadden to cut all ties with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and put an end to ICE detainers at the jail.

“That's a voluntary thing you dont have to let ICE into the jail to do that, that's up to the jailer or sheriff in this case,” said Becca O’Neill, Director of the Immigrant Justice Project.   

An ICE spokesperson said if the county eliminates 287(g), agents will ramp up their efforts in the community. Community members said this victory is also a message to ICE.

“We will not be intimidated. We will not go back to the shadows. We are here to stay. That proof was Tuesday night,” Oliver Merino, a spokesperson for Comunidad Colectiva, said.

Members of Comunidad Colectiva have not met with Garry McFadden since his victory, but they plan to in the future.

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