2 Oklahoma County Commissioners Vote To Keep ICE In The Detention Center

County commissioners voted Monday to keep ICE officers in the Oklahoma County Detention Center, but some are questioning whether they had the authority to do so.

Protesters called Commissioner Kevin Calvey racist as he and Commissioner Brian Maughan voted to keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the jail during the meeting.

“Corrupt and unethical politicians in this county continue to play games with human life, liberty and public safety,” activist Sara Bana said.

Meanwhile, Calvey said the protesters were anti-American.

“I will never back down to bullies and anti-law enforcement, anti-American extremists like these protesters today,” Calvey said.

While Calvey, Maughan and protesters faced off, Commissioner Carrie Blumert questioned why the item was on the agenda in the first place, as she believes it's a decision the jail trust should make.

“I do not believe we don't have authority to pass this policy,” Blumert said during the meeting.

Blumert voted against the policy and told News 9 she's seeking additional clarification and legal justification.

Opponents to the measure claim Calvey's motivation for calling a vote was purely political, as the jail trust will discuss the topic in future meetings.

“We're going to stand up for ice here in Oklahoma County. We are not California. We're not Portland, we're not Seattle. We stand up for law enforcement here,” Calvey said in response to the accusations.

Jail trust officials still plan to vote on whether or not to remove ICE from the facility on October 19. Should the district attorney affirm the validity of the commissioners’ vote, the jail trust will change the agenda item.