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SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — An East Texas sheriff is expected to hold a press conference on Friday afternoon to clear the air after publishing an apology letter regarding an immigration forum the sheriff’s office hosted early February.

In the letter, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, apologized to residents, Gov. Greg Abbott and his office, Border Czar Tom Homan and President Donald Trump. In a since deleted post, Smith said “please take a moment to read what I really said, without the vicious spin and outright mistruths added by vicious agenda driven mouthpieces.”

The forum happened about after Hispanic employees working for the sheriff’s office advised Smith that many illegal immigrants were afraid to do their daily activities with the new immigration polices from the federal and state governments.

Smith said in the statement, he supports the arrests and deportations of these violent criminals who threaten the safety and security of the community. The sheriff also said he supports the 287g program. However, during the forum, Smith said the county will only abide if the level of offense is above a Class B misdemeanor.