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Maryville council adopts resolution opposing ICE processing/detention in industrial warehouses after residents’ comments
Summary
After an hour of public comment opposed to a proposed ICE processing/detention facility, the Town of Maryville council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-02 opposing conversion of local warehouses for immigration enforcement processing; the resolution calls for transparency and outreach to federal and congressional offices.
The Town of Maryville council on Jan. 27 adopted Resolution 26-02 formally opposing conversion of industrial warehouses within town limits into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing or detention facilities.
Clerk-Treasurer Eric January read the resolution into the record, citing a Washington Post article that described a federal draft solicitation that could seek private contractors to renovate warehouses for detainee processing. The resolution states the town and its officials had not been contacted by federal authorities and that such conversions could create unanticipated burdens on water, sewer and public-safety systems.
Residents filled the public-comment portion of the meeting to press the council to act. Ruben Valdez told the council, “Right now, even though I would never have imagined this, never. Right now, I could walk out that door and ICE could be waiting on me,” and urged officials to write a letter saying a detention center is not welcome. Jill Revere, a local therapist, closed her remarks with “No ICE. No detention.”
Town official Joe Stepanov urged passage, saying, “I think the resolution sums up the position of the town adequately and with full force,” and said staff would contact the congressman’s office to seek federal clarification. Councilors moved and seconded the resolution (motion by Councilor Xi; second by Mrs. Uslak). A roll call recorded six affirmative votes and the motion passed.
The resolution says it takes effect upon adoption. Council members said the town will post all documents and related materials on the municipal website and archive them for public review; the presiding official noted the posts will “archive everything we’re doing about this situation.”
The resolution reiterates that, without formal federal communication, the council cannot make informed regulatory decisions and that conversions of warehouses intended as industrial uses could overload local infrastructure. The council did not report any direct federal outreach during the meeting; the resolution directs local officials to seek clarity from congressional representatives and to pursue public transparency.
The council also tabled an unrelated property-transfer resolution to allow the absent council member representing the affected district to participate at the next meeting. The council announced follow-up posting of materials on the town website.
