Horry County is one SC county with an agreement with ICE on immigrants. Could raids occur?
Horry County is one of three counties in South Carolina that has an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement for screening and reporting those who may be in the country illegally.
The sheriff’s department appears to be the only local entity working directly with the federal agency, which adds another layer to the debate over illegal immigration and how local agencies are handling potential situations involving ICE.
Local agencies, in most instances, don’t track immigration status when it comes to those who are arrested or those who are enrolled in Horry County Schools.
Because of that, it is difficult to know just how many people living in the country illegally are in the Myrtle Beach area.
Last year, people took to social media alleging that people living in the country illegally were bused to Myrtle Beach and staying in hotels using taxpayer dollars. The reports were never verified, but it sparked a response from U.S. Congressman Russell Fry, who sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security demanding information regarding reports of migrants being “deposited” in Myrtle Beach.
“Our office does not have any information regarding potential enforcement operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in SC-07,” a statement from Fry’s office said. “However, for security and safety reasons, our office would never disclose details of law enforcement activities in advance to the news media. Providing advance notice would give targets the opportunity to evade accountability and possibly put law enforcement officials in harm’s way.”
Since President Donald Trump took office in mid-January, ICE has been conducting raids and mass deportations across the country, various news reports show. Trump campaigned on the promise of tougher measures at the southwest border and an increase in ICE activity.
It is unclear if ICE has conducted any raids in the Myrtle Beach area since Trump took office. A message left for ICE public affairs has not been returned.
It is estimated that an “unauthorized population” of 88,000 are in South Carolina, according to the Migration Policy Institute, an independent, nonpartisan think tank that works to improve immigration and integration policies. Within that estimate, the largest population, 44,000, is from Mexico, and 10,000 are from Honduras, the institute reported.
On Monday, people took to the streets in Myrtle Beach to protest Trump’s immigration policies. About 50 people held up Mexican and Honduran flags, as well as signs. When asked why they came out, the central theme among protesters was fear.
Sheriff’s Office has agreement with ICE
Horry County Sheriff’s Office implemented the 287-G program in 2018. The program, in partnership with ICE and part of the Illegal Immigration Act, allows staff members at J. Reuben Long Detention Center to screen those who are foreign-born and have been brought to the jail after being arrested by law enforcement.
If the person is in the country illegally, they will be transferred into ICE custody.
The number of inmates that have been turned over to ICE is unclear. Brennan Cavanagh, sheriff’s department spokesperson, told The Sun News she was not authorized to release those numbers.
During a 2023 meeting between ICE and Horry County Sheriff’s Office representatives regarding their agreement, it was reported that more than 380 immigrants were booked into the detention center for the 2022 fiscal year, according to WMBF News. Of those, 128 were convicted criminals, the station reported.
“It’s important to note (that) not everyone screened goes into ICE custody,” Cavanagh said.
Each screening is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Local law enforcement doesn’t track immigration status
Myrtle Beach Police doesn’t track immigration status of those they arrest, Capt. Bryan Murphy wrote by text.
“Our department has a working relationship with all of our federal partners, including ICE,” he wrote. However, Murphy said he is unaware of any requests from ICE for assistance in arrests.
Conway Police also has had no requests from ICE, according to city spokeswoman June Wood.
Horry County Police has not worked with ICE either, according to county spokeswoman Mikayla Moskov.
“Immigration enforcement is not a function of HCPD unless such elements are discovered about an individual already being charged with a crime,” Moskov said.
Thousands of Horry students are non-English speaking
Horry County Schools has not had any contact with ICE, according to spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier, as of Jan. 30, 2025.
When asked if the district has a policy in place if ICE does ask for access to a school property, Bourcier wrote: “Horry County Schools will comply with local, state and federal law. As a public school system, we understand the responsibility to educate all students. As always, we will remain focused on the educational interests of our students, families, and community. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage appropriately and supportively with federal and local officials.”
The district is prohibited by federal law from inquiring about the legal status of a student, parent, guardian or family member or requiring documentation that could reveal information regarding their immigration status.
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, school districts must provide all school-aged children with public education and equal access to public schools, regardless of race, national origin or immigration status, Bourcier noted.
Horry County Schools has more than 6,000 students in its Multilingual Learner population for 2023-2024, according to the South Carolina Schools Report Cards. These are students who are learning the English language.
This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM.
