ICE Threatened Sheriff Tom Dart With Criminal Charges Over Access to Inmates for Immigration Enforcement

Federal immigration authorities sent Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart four subpoenas last month seeking inmates wanted for civil immigration enforcement, along with letters warning he could face criminal prosecution — including for witness tampering — if his office did not comply, according to the sheriff's office and public records obtained by the Tribune. Sheriff's office spokesman Matt Walberg confirmed the subpoenas and letters. The New York Times first reported the letters, which appear to be the administration's latest tactic to gain access to jails in sanctuary jurisdictions; a similar letter went to Hennepin County, Minn., Sheriff Dawanna Witt, who called it a "scare tactic."