Overview
- The front-yard display shows skeletons in ICE shirts chasing skeletons wearing sombreros and ponchos, and Michelle Burch says she created it as a 'tongue-in-cheek' decoration drawing on her Cuban background.
- Sheriff Paul Burch says his office routinely coordinates with Homeland Security and ICE, targets individuals with criminal backgrounds, and he is not aware of any operations planned for Latin Fest.
- Neighbors and Latino community leaders describe the display as dehumanizing and divisive, with organizers urging residents to continue cultural events such as Latin Fest.
- The dispute follows a recent video of a Mobile County deputy striking Henry Castilo during an enforcement operation and renewed scrutiny of the county’s participation in the 287(g) program.
- A progressive activist group declared Burch 'unworthy of our trust,' while the sheriff’s office has referred questions to the couple and no disciplinary action or removal of the decorations has been reported.