Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney struggled to explain his behavior with immigration policies in an intense meeting held by the Equal Opportunity Commission Wednesday night.

Mahoney and his department currently report names of arrested illegal immigrants to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a practice not required by law.

Mahoney was bombarded with questions from citizens and commission members, most of whom were displeased with the procedure. Many people worried about being confronted by an enforcement officer for fear of unjustly being asked about their citizenship.

“In 2006, I gave every member of this community a commitment that the attitudes and the interaction of members of the Dane County Sheriff’s office would not be racist,” Mahoney said. “It would have no implications to the individual’s skin color, race or sex, and I stand here today making that same commitment.”

Angered speakers also shared their knowledge of domestic violence, drug trafficking and employment issues going unnoticed because they said illegal immigrants are too scared to contact law enforcement.

Others shared personal stories in which family members or friends were in jail and at risk of being deported because they committed minor traffic offenses.

A concerned brother of an illegal immigrant fought back tears as he spoke for his brother who is in jail.

“It seems very unfair to me that for such a minor infraction he’s being treated this way,” he said.

Equal Opportunities Commission member Shiva Bidar-Sielaff addressed the sheriff on behalf of attendees in opposition to the present policies.

“We have tried to speak to you, and we have felt that the doors have been shut,” Bidar-Sielaff said, responding to Mahoney’s account of addressing these problems.

Mahoney stated this method is used to identify people only in Dane County jails, and said he feels obligated to report to ICE.

Members of the commission requested written documents from Mahoney to clarify the jail’s booking process.

Although no conclusions were reached at the meeting, several attendees thanked the Equal Opportunity Commission for giving them the chance to speak directly to the sheriff.

Mahoney and the board members agreed there is a necessity for increased communication between him and the public. Although there was no solid closure toward the end of the meeting, Bidar-Sielaff assured the audience their concerns and opinions will not be overlooked.

Mahoney made a commitment to openly work with the public and the EOC, and they will meet again in a couple of months to ensure he is in fact taking action.

“I heard the passion tonight,” Mahoney said. “I will continue to work for leaders in our community who wish to work cooperatively and honestly with integrity to address your concerns.”