Published on June 4, 2025 5:27 pm
Last Updated on June 4, 2025 5:27 pm
There was some concern when the US Department of Homeland Security included Effingham County and almost every other Illinois county on the list of “sanctuary jurisdictions”. Since the list was posted, it reportedly has been taken down. That wasn’t before a number of local residents contacted County offices to inquire about the posting.
Effingham County Board Chairman Josh Douthit today released a statement to clarify the County’s position. Here is his statement:
“Effingham County remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of our residents. While recent DHS reports have categorized our county as a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” we want to unequivocally affirm that Effingham County supports legal immigration and fully endorses the federal enforcement efforts of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Our county respects the need for federal immigration policies designed to maintain order and national security. We recognize the vital role ICE plays in enforcing these policies, and we stand behind their mission to safeguard communities while ensuring due process for individuals within the immigration system.
Effingham County made its position clear by adopting resolution 24-13 stating we will not be a sanctuary county and will not spend local tax dollars on the immigration crisis. We further disagree with current state law under the TRUST Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from assisting ICE in civil immigration enforcement. We encourage citizens to call for its repeal by contacting state legislators.
Effingham County welcomes those who seek to enter and remain in the United States through legal means and values the contributions of immigrants who comply with the laws governing our nation. We will continue to follow all legal guidelines regarding our ability to cooperate with federal authorities on immigration issues in the interest of public safety, legal integrity, and the well-being of our residents.
We appreciate the opportunity to clarify our stance and remain committed to transparent governance in alignment with state and federal law.”
Joshua P. Douthit
Effingham County Board Chairman
