Residents demand formal policy after reported ICE action; mayor says city has administrative non‑detention practice

Residents and advocacy groups pressed Cleveland Heights officials on Monday to adopt formal protections limiting local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement following reports of an action at a Coventry Village restaurant.

Mayor Mary Sarin told the council she has directed city administration policy—separate from council action—that Cleveland Heights staff do not detain individuals for civil immigration law violations. “We do not engage in the enforcement of federal civil immigration law,” Sarin said, adding that such detentions can raise 4th Amendment concerns. She recommended residents seeking legal guidance contact organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Immigration Law Center or the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cleveland for case‑specific help.

More than a dozen members of the public urged council to move the administration’s practice into law. Drew Herczyk, Emily Gavalier, Fiona Finneran, Moshe Koval and others asked for either a council ordinance or resolution explicitly barring Cleveland Heights police and other city departments from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “We would like to request that council, take this policy and introduce or pass it into law, that the Cleveland Heights Police Department won't help ICE,” Moshe Koval said.

Speakers also urged the city to publish clear guidance on the municipal website so residents—particularly those with limited internet access or language barriers—can find resources and know what to do. “There’s no need for them to have to do the legwork when you've got a city website where you could put that information up there,” said public commenter Drew Herczyk.

Several speakers proposed that the council re‑examine a 2019 human resources policy the mayor referenced and convert an administrative policy into an ordinance or resolution vetted by city law. Councilmember (safety committee chair) said the safety committee will take up an initial conversation about safety for immigrants and review the earlier legislation and policy language to determine next steps.

Not all speakers agreed on tactics: CJ Nash urged caution about issuing a high‑profile resolution that might draw national attention and potentially expose local residents to heightened enforcement. Nash said protections must prioritize the safety of immigrant residents over publicity.

No ordinance or resolution was introduced or adopted at Monday’s meeting. Council members instructed the safety committee to review existing policy and report back; staff and advocates said they will provide the administration’s 2019 human resources policy language and suggested model ordinances for consideration.