Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the ICE Contract topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge Butler County commissioners to end ICE contract during public comment
Summary
Multiple residents and advocates told the Butler County Commission to end the sheriff's ICE detention contract, alleging racial profiling, due-process problems and moral harm; speakers cited bills to the federal government and urged alternatives such as a welcome center and policy changes.
During the public‑comment portion of the Butler County Commission meeting, more than a half‑dozen residents urged the board to end the county's contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and raised concerns about local detention practices.
Selena Parker, CEO of The Lodge Activity Center, opened comments by thanking commissioners for support of the Board of Developmental Disabilities. Later speakers directly addressed the ICE contract: Cathy McMahon Closterman, Anne Feurer and others called for the county to end the arrangement, describing what they called racial profiling and due‑process concerns. "I implore you to love justice above politics and money," McMahon Closterman said.
Steve Holmquist and other residents accused the federal government and local cooperation of promoting rhetoric and policies they described as 'remigration' and urged stronger public opposition. Dorothy Joseph read a statement that criticized detention practices and urged the county to terminate the contract. Dr. Linda Snow Griffin asked the commissioners to consider alternative spending and argued that the sheriff had billed the federal government for detention services to the tune of more than $9 million in eight months—an assertion made in public comment and not confirmed by county staff during the meeting.
Ellen Price framed the issue in economic terms, noting that immigrant workers comprise a large share of home health and personal-care occupations and arguing that current detention practices could worsen workforce shortages. Speakers invited commissioners and the public to attend a human‑rights vigil in the coming days.
The commissioners did not take immediate action on the ICE contract during this meeting; public comment concluded and the board recessed to address other reported items and enter executive session on separate matters.
