In reversal, Phelps County Jail resumes taking in ICE detainees

St. Louis Public Radio | By Jonathan Ahl
Published Oct. 28, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. CDT

…In late August, Sheriff Mike Kirn said the jail would stop taking in new ICE detainees effective Sept. 1. The federal government reimbursed jails $85 a night to house detainees, including those brought in by U.S. marshals or military police. But people arrested by ICE require more labor due to transportation requirements and paperwork. Phelps County Presiding Commissioner Joey Auxier confirmed at the time that the reimbursement amount did not cover the jail's costs.

Auxier declined a request for information on the reasons for the change in policy, deferring to the sheriff. Kirn did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The move means Abide in Love, a volunteer organization that has been helping ICE detainees in the Phelps County jail, is ramping up its efforts.

“We trained some new pen pal volunteers over the weekend,” said Lucy Behrendt, the organization’s secretary. “We check on their well-being and their needs, and then we give them jail phone money so that they can contact their families and lawyers.”

Behrendt said the group has received communication from Kirn but not a lot of details. She said she hopes the sheriff will allow the group to provide care packages of snacks, hygiene products and clothes to ICE detainees as he did before new arrivals were paused.

“We believe that he's a kind man, and we're keeping the faith that he cares about the well-being of detained people, so we're really hopeful that he's going to continue to be welcoming of our efforts,” Behrendt said.[…]