“How many lives is she willing to risk to protect her narrative of shielding criminal illegal aliens?”
by NANCY MACE
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Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano seems to be more focused on her public image than on the safety of our community. Instead of prioritizing our security, she appears to be more concerned with political statements and aligning with groups that support open borders.
A quick look at her Twitter profile shows her smiling alongside leaders from a pro-open-border administration, which is contributing to the ongoing border crisis. Instead of tackling safety in Charleston, she is joining forces with those who encourage the chaos at our borders, even as violent crime increases in our neighborhoods.
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Under Sheriff Graziano, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has not been cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They have failed to give proper notice or hold illegal immigrants long enough before releasing them. I have asked for all communications regarding ICE detainers and criminal charges, but Graziano’s office is treating this as a public records request—a tactic to delay transparency.
With an election approaching on November 5, she seems to be stalling for time, hoping the public won’t notice what’s happening behind the scenes. Graziano claims that a judge’s order is necessary to comply with ICE detainers, but that is not true; no judge can approve or deny these requests. This excuse appears to be a way for her to maintain her political image while compromising public safety.
The consequences of her actions are alarming. A criminal who had been arrested multiple times for attempting to exploit children was released because Graziano ignored ICE detainer requests. Thankfully, ICE tracked him down after his release, but it raises serious questions about why our community was put at risk in the first place. This incident is just one among many; Graziano has released at least 51 criminals under her “sanctuary” policy, including sex offenders.
Graziano’s lack of cooperation seems deliberate. Her office has been evasive in responding to our inquiries and is attempting to keep information hidden until after the election. Previously, she avoided accountability when a drunk driver claimed the life of a Folly Beach bride, ignoring legal obligations and never providing necessary answers. Now, she is dodging scrutiny over her handling of ICE detainers right before November 5.
We deserve protection from a sheriff who prioritizes her narrative over our safety. Crime in Charleston is escalating, with more aggravated assaults, murders, and robberies being reported. Yet, Graziano chooses to cling to her “sanctuary” principles, falsely claiming crime is declining instead of confronting the reality our community faces today. How many lives is she willing to jeopardize to protect her agenda?
It’s time for Sanctuary Sheriff Graziano to prioritize the safety of Charleston. We will keep advocating for accountability and transparency from her office, ensuring that the citizens of Charleston County come first.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Congresswoman Nancy Mace is a trailblazer, having been the first woman to graduate from The Citadel in 1999. She is also the first Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina. Currently, she serves on the House Armed Services, Veteran’s Affairs, and Oversight committees and chairs the Cybersecurity Subcommittee.
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