Davenport council fast-tracks position paper opposing state bill that would require police to cooperate with ICE

The Davenport City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 8 to add and approve a position paper urging preservation of local control over police response priorities and opposing a state bill described in council discussion as requiring local officers to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Alderman Newton moved to amend the consent agenda to include issue paper 2605, “Davenport police response priorities,” after citing concern about House File 2,041, which Newton said would “mandate that officers shall cooperate with federal immigration and customs enforcement.” The council suspended the rules by roll call and later approved the addition; a subsequent roll-call vote on consent items recorded 10 yeses.

Why it matters: Council members and dozens of residents said the proposed state legislation could undermine the department’s community-focused policing and local control. A range of speakers pressed the council not only to record opposition but to develop concrete, enforceable local procedures.

Public reaction was intense. Joni Demmer, who identified herself as a member of the Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities, told the council, “I hope that we continue to stand on the right side.” James, speaking for the Quad Cities Democratic Socialists of America, said, “ICE is a violent and illegitimate agency, and it must be obstructed by our officials, resisted by the people, and ultimately abolished for the good of our future.” Many speakers urged the city to go beyond a paper and craft a strategic plan identifying what the city would do if federal enforcement actions occur locally.

Council members said they heard the message. Alderman Leanan asked the police department to develop “a strategic plan, standard operating procedure” in the event federal enforcement actions occur locally; Alderman Holloway echoed that the council will “come up with a plan to keep us safe” while also following the law.

What passed: The council approved suspending the rules to act on the issue paper, added issue paper 2605 to the consent agenda, and then approved the consent agenda as amended (roll-call tallies were recorded as 10 yeses on the relevant votes). The issue paper was described in council discussion as having been reviewed by legal counsel, administration, and the police department prior to being added.

Next steps: Council members directed staff and the police department to return with further planning and implementation details; members repeatedly requested a strategic plan and clear operating procedures that spell out the department’s role and limitations if federal agents operate in the area. The council also scheduled public budget workshops and will continue to engage with the public as policy details are developed.