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Adrian residents demand action after June 14 immigration enforcement; commissioners hear calls for policy and transparency
Summary
Multiple residents urged the Adrian City Commission to explain and act after armed plainclothes agents removed community members June 14. Speakers asked the city to clarify police protocol, consider 'safe city' policies limiting voluntary cooperation with ICE, and issue a public statement.
Dozens of Adrian residents pressed the City Commission on July 7 for clear action and transparency after two men were removed from the city on June 14 by armed, plainclothes individuals that community members say they could not confirm were ICE.
At an extended public-comment period, Jesse Harrison (reading for his wife) said the June 14 detentions “follow no American values, policies, or procedures,” and urged the commission to act to protect residents. Ali Quinn of Hope and Action said it has been “nearly three weeks” since the incident and that the commission had issued no public statement; Quinn said one man was released after paying $8,000 and another remained in custody with a hearing scheduled for July 14.
Speakers including Aaron Cheshire, Rhonda Wilson and Emilio Pisagna asked the commission to adopt protections that would limit local cooperation with immigration enforcement without breaking federal law. Cheshire urged policies that would direct city staff and police not to ask about immigration status unless legally required, to avoid detaining people for ICE absent a judge-signed warrant, and to limit sharing personal information with federal agents.
Chief Emmerich responded during commissioner comments that officers on scene had contacted supervisors and dispatch to verify ICE’s presence, saying the department identified and verified the federal presence that day and that residents should contact APD with concerns. He described the agents’ vehicles and clothing as plainclothes and acknowledged the potential for copycat activity, asking residents to report suspicious incidents so the department can verify them.
Commissioners and community members debated next steps. Some speakers pressed for an explicit city policy and regular public updates; others warned that publicly declaring a sanctuary or “safe city” status could draw attention and unintended consequences. Commissioner comments later in the meeting asked staff to place immigration-enforcement procedures and public communication on a future study agenda to explore options and inform residents.
The commission did not adopt a new policy at the July 7 meeting; several speakers asked the city to issue a press release explaining current practices and to schedule a study session to examine options and clarify APD protocol. The chief said verification procedures took place on June 14. Community groups present stated they will continue to gather evidence and organize support for residents who say they were detained.
