Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge Kent County to clarify policy on ICE detentions at jail
Summary
Multiple residents told the board they have seen or alleged detentions at the Kent County Jail tied to ICE I-247 requests, asked why people who posted bail were held for ICE, and urged commissioners to prohibit certain types of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Several community members used the general public comment period to urge the Kent County Board of Commissioners to clarify and restrict local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement after multiple speakers described cases in which people held in the Kent County Jail were detained for up to 48 hours on an ICE I-247 form and then transferred to federal custody.
Charles Snedeker said neighbors who had posted bail were detained and transferred into federal custody, asking, “Why are our county's resources being used to detain our community members?” He said the sheriff’s office is a locally funded agency and urged commissioners to stop collaborations that enable what he called “unjust detainments.” (SEG 2225–2239)
Theresa Lewis told the board she believed the sheriff’s office had changed an earlier public policy and was now detaining people for up to 48 hours after an I-247 detention request (which she described as a non-judicial detention document) rather than releasing them while a court-signed warrant is required. She described a recent local case in which a Guatemalan man was detained, bail was offered by family members but staff said they had to wait up to 48 hours on orders, and ICE agents later removed the man. Lewis asked the commission for transparent explanations of current sheriff’s policies and whether any formal policy change was made without public notice. (SEG 2294–2312)
Sharon Hickox urged the board to adopt policies restricting local law-enforcement cooperation with ICE, prohibiting local entry into federal detention contracts, and preventing county staff from sharing surveillance images or other data with federal immigration authorities. She asked that the board act to prevent use of the Kent County Jail as an ICE detention facility. (SEG 2340–2381)
Commissioners did not adopt any new policy during the meeting; public speakers requested that the board seek clarification from the sheriff’s office, publicly report the county’s position and consider limiting data sharing, contractual agreements and local participation in federal immigration-enforcement operations.
