On Monday, Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris clarified that his department has not formed a task force with ICE, contrary to Nashville media reports. He stated that Putnam County joined the 287(g) program under a jail model, which involves checking the immigration status of individuals arrested for significant crimes, not minor offenses like public intoxication or driving without a license.

This model does not involve deputies making immigration arrests on the streets. Farris also noted that Putnam County is the third county, following Greene and Knox Counties, to participate in this program, with others considering similar partnerships.

He emphasized that ICE will only target criminals or violent offenders in Putnam County, and the local Hispanic community, making up about 4% of the population, is valued and welcome, with few criminal issues.