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Residents urge Adrian commissioners to write letter after local immigration detention
Summary
Multiple Adrian residents urged the commission to write a letter supporting a detained community member who paid bond but remains in custody; speakers described community fear, impacts on families and schools, and asked local leaders to act, while at least one commissioner said she had already drafted a letter.
During the public-comment period, multiple residents urged the Adrian City Commission to use its voice on a local immigration-detention case.
Aaron Cheshire, identified as an Adrian resident, told the commission the community is experiencing "shock" and that "silence is not neutrality. It's permission," and asked commissioners to write a letter on behalf of the detained neighbor. Other speakers—Maly Quinn, Nora Bader and a 16-year-old identified as Evelyn—described community fear, children asking difficult questions, and a pregnant partner left without support. Judith Hammerly cited data told to the commission (that roughly 30% of people detained by ICE have serious criminal convictions and 70% do not) and framed the request as supporting broader community trust in public institutions.
Speakers on Zoom and in chambers asked the commission both to write a letter and to clarify city protections for residents, including information available in English and Spanish. Benoit (Zoom) and Jessica Harrison urged public-facing information and stronger public statements. Commissioner Behnke said she had written a letter on July 8 on behalf of the individual and was awaiting additional information to send a follow-up.
No formal commission resolution or vote on a letter was recorded during the meeting; commissioners acknowledged the concerns and individual members mentioned drafting or sending written support.
