The Lavaca County Commissioners Court voted Nov. 10 to add two full-time deputy positions dedicated to the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) 287(g) task-force interdiction model.

Sheriff's office representatives presented the proposal, and Bud Ratliff, identified as the 287(g) program manager, explained the task-force model and reimbursement structure. Ratliff said task-force partners augment ICE capacity and that the program reimburses local agencies for time spent on immigration enforcement work. "They will cover a 100% of the salary of the deputy to up to also an additional 25% of their overtime," Bud Ratliff said.

Officials told the court that Lavaca County is among several neighboring counties participating in the task force (Jackson, Calhoun, Goliad, Victoria) and that from Sept. 30 to the present the sheriff's office had turned 55 people over to ICE under the program. County staff noted pending reimbursements for equipment and vehicles — a $220,000 federal reimbursement awaited processing, which officials described as including about $100,000 for a vehicle and roughly $7,500 per credentialed deputy.

Court members asked about financial risk if reimbursements lag; officials described the process as a monthly reimbursement and said payroll would be advanced by the county and later reimbursed by ICE. Commissioners discussed backfilling patrol duties where deputies are shifted to the 287(g) positions.

The court approved the motion (moved by Precinct 3, seconded by Precinct 4) to add the two positions. The court also directed that auditor and sheriff's office processes align to ensure monthly reimbursement tracking.