Maverick County, TX – According to a report from Super Channel 12, Sheriff Tom Schmerber has responded to the latest immigration-related laws signed by Governor Greg Abbott by emphasizing that his department will not participate in state-mandated immigration enforcement actions.

The new laws call on sheriff’s departments across Texas to increase their involvement in immigration operations. In response, Sheriff Schmerber made it clear that his office will not divert its limited resources toward immigration tasks at the expense of public safety.

“I was elected to protect the people of Maverick County, and that is my absolute priority,” Schmerber told Super Channel 12. “We simply do not have the personnel to take on immigration responsibilities without compromising our ability to serve and protect our community.”

The sheriff said his department will continue cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but only when cases involve direct threats to public safety. He emphasized that his office would not take part in immigration raids or make arrests solely based on immigration status.

“We work with ICE when there are public safety concerns,” he said. “But we are not immigration officers, and we will not conduct raids or arrests for immigration violations.”

Sheriff Schmerber’s remarks reflect broader concerns shared by law enforcement leaders across Texas, especially in border counties already stretched by limited staffing and rising caseloads. Local sheriffs are now being asked to enforce state-level immigration measures without additional funding or manpower.

The report from Super Channel 12 noted that Sheriff Schmerber’s position is consistent with the concerns voiced by other counties in the region. Many local leaders fear that the added enforcement burden could disrupt regular operations and divert attention from critical law enforcement duties.

As the debate continues over the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration policy, Sheriff Schmerber’s message is clear: the safety of Maverick County residents comes first.

Source: Super Channel 12