Washtenaw County board directs counsel to explore response to DHS subpoena after hours of public comment

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners voted to direct corporation counsel to explore legal options to respond to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subpoena and notice of inspection for county records, the board said after an extended public comment period and a closed-session review.

The resolution, moved by Commissioner Jessie Hodge and approved by roll call, instructs legal staff to analyze the county’s options and return with recommendations to the board. The vote was recorded as affirmative by the commissioners present; Commissioner Beeman was noted as absent for health reasons.

Why it matters: County officials and dozens of speakers told commissioners that the subpoena — and broader federal enforcement actions — risk exposing immigrant residents and other vulnerable people to detention or deportation. Residents, nonprofit staff and elected local officials urged resistance or careful legal pushback. County leaders said they would balance community trust, local values and legal obligations while avoiding actions that could place county staff or services at legal risk.

Public comments and law-enforcement response

More than two hours of public comment focused largely on the DHS request and on preserving the county’s municipal ID…