Candidates call for city leadership and community support in response to ICE/National Guard actions

Forum attendees asked how candidates would respond if National Guard troops or ICE operations targeted immigrant communities in Iowa City. Candidates proposed a mix of symbolic and practical responses while noting some limits on municipal authority.

Sean Harmson said the city should fight misinformation, use proclamations and support nonviolent public demonstrations. “We fight the misinformation and we continue fighting it with things like our proclamations and showing up for each other,” he said.

Amy Hospadarski urged putting the issue on city council agendas, soliciting public comment and developing a plan even if the municipality’s legal tools are limited. She said public planning and transparent communication are priorities.

Megan Alter recommended partnering with trusted community organizations to provide “know your rights” information and legal observers rather than relying solely on the city to deliver those services. She said the city can serve as a major support and amplifier of community efforts.

Newman Abu Issa and Clara Reinen framed active public resistance—organizing, presence in the streets and direct accompaniment of vulnerable residents—as necessary leadership steps. Bruce Teague stressed the value of long-standing relationships between city officials and immigrant service providers and said the city would coordinate with trusted local groups when operations occur.

Candidates agreed the city should prepare responses that center public safety, legal information and community trust, though they differed on whether the council itself should be the primary operational driver or play a supporting role to community-led efforts.