ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller is pushing back against U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis after the senator posted a map on social media labeling Buncombe and eight other counties as “sanctuary jurisdictions.”

In a video message, Miller said the designation is false and harmful, and he has contacted Tillis’ office seeking clarification and a public correction.

“Senator, with all due respect, your labeling of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office as a sanctuary jurisdiction is absolutely not true,” Miller said.

Tillis shared the map on April 28, alleging that certain sheriffs in North Carolina were refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and were shielding undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. Miller called the claim “blatantly incorrect.”

The sheriff said his office fully complies with House Bill 10, a state law that requires local law enforcement to honor 48-hour detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement when accompanied by a judicial warrant. Miller said since the law went into effect, his office has communicated with ICE on 15 detainees and released one individual directly to the agency.

“Before House Bill 10 became law, I did not honor ICE detainers,” Miller said. “The reason I did not honor the detainers at that time was because they were not signed by a judge and therefore not a valid court document to hold a detainee who otherwise would be eligible for release. Now that House Bill 19 is the law and includes both a detainer and a warrant, I have no issues enforcing a 48-hour hold.”

Miller said the sheriff’s office tracks each ICE detainer with time-stamped records and maintains open communication with the agency regarding custody status.

He also referenced Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, whom Tillis recently acknowledged does not limit cooperation with federal authorities. Miller asked for the same clarification and removal of Buncombe County from the list.

“I invite you to stop by the sheriff’s office, inspect our records, and look at the facts,” Miller said. “Labeling without a factual basis can lead to legal consequences, harm individuals and communities and create unfair or discriminatory outcomes. It can also undermine trust within the community.”

Miller concluded his remarks by requesting Buncombe County be removed from the sanctuary designation and his office be treated fairly and accurately.