Apparently, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office has time on its hands.

Not content to “protect courtrooms during trials, serve warrants and transport inmates,” Sheriff Mike Slupe has sought and been granted authority to make immigrant arrests as requested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (“Sheriff wants to work with ICE,” July 1, Page 1).

According to Slupe, his office will be responsible for the costs of the operation and he has the funds in his budget to cover those costs.

Commissioner Leslie Osche said she believes there is not a large population of immigrants in the county. Commissioner Kim Geyer said she doesn’t believe the county has migrant communities that would be affected. Sounds like a solution looking for a problem.

Aside from what appears as chaotic and cruel ICE tactics, or the $170 billion in the president’s proposed budget for immigration enforcement (at least $29 billion of which is assigned to ICE), or that roughly 8% of arrested immigrants have been convicted of crimes of violence, Sheriff Slupe can surely make better use of his staff and resources.

Philip P. Lope, Zelienople