MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. -- New leadership is coming to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's department which means immigrant enforcement could be changing.

• Either ICE or the sheriff’s department can opt out of the screening program at any time
• Immigration agents could have to increase their efforts in the community
• More than 1,300 immigrants screened under 287g in the county in 2017

Former CMPD detective Garry McFadden, who defeated incumbent Sheriff Irwin Carmichael, wants end 287g. The federal program is a partnership with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and allows deputies to flag jail inmates for deportation proceedings.

The county’s 287g agreement states that either ICE or the sheriff’s department can opt out of the screening program at any time.

ICE spokesperson Bryan Cox said if the county eliminates 287g, immigration agents will have to increase their efforts in the community.

“If we're able to arrest persons in the jail, we're taking that person,” said Cox. “If we have to go out and make an at-large arrest and find that person, in doing so if we come across other persons in violation of federal immigration law, they may be taken into custody as well.”

Mecklenburg County's current 287g agreement doesn't end until next June.

Cox said more than 1,300 immigrants were screened under 287g in the county during fiscal year 2017 and of those screened, 287 people were deported.