The Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, is contracting with North Carolina sheriffs to help identify and arrest illegal immigrants. But the Chatham County Commission, including Chairman George Lucier, passed a resolution discouraging its sheriff from cooperating.

"The resolution is simply our opinion, and our opinion is that local law enforcement agencies should not be involved with ICE because it's costly, ineffective -- it's voluntary," Lucier said.

But a group called Americans for Legal Immigration disagrees and said working with ICE can help reduce crime and ultimately save lives. The group also complained that the commissioners passed the resolution without seeking public input.

"What the county commission did is meet without public notice and most of the people we talked to didn't even know they were deciding on such an important issue without public input," said William Gheen, with the American for Legal Immigration.

 Lucier said that is not their policy.

"It's not custom to hold a public hearing on resolution because it's an opinion," Lucier said.

 Chathal County Sheriff Richard Webster is trying to stay out of the fight by saying his department can't even qualify for the most controversial program.

"The resolution was driving toward the 287 G program. In Chatham County, it is a moot point because we don't meet the requirements to be in the 287 G program," Sheriff Webster said.

Gheen said there is a program for every agency.

"Immigration and Customs Enforcement has many different programs, 287G is just one of them. They can accommodate any state and local law enforcement," Gheen said. 

Now, Americans for Legal Immigration is demanding that the commissioners change their vote. But commissioners said they're doing what is best for the community.

Sheriff Webster said now the county does have indirect contact with ICE through state mandated programs.