Ypsilanti council unanimously restricts use of city property for civil immigration enforcement

The Ypsilanti City Council voted unanimously Feb. 17 to adopt Resolution 2026-038, which prohibits use of city resources, funds, property or personnel to facilitate civil immigration enforcement activities except where required by law.

The amended resolution directs the city manager to identify city-owned parking lots and vacant lots within 90 days, add clear signage stating the property may not be used for civil immigration enforcement activities, and to prepare standardized signage that private landowners and leaseholders may display. It also directs the manager to develop a policy prohibiting employees and contractors from using city information or resources to assist civil immigration enforcement “to the extent permitted by law,” and asks staff to design training to implement the policy.

Council member McLean, who moved the measure, framed it as protecting residents from warrantless federal immigration activity: “What we're saying is that city property, city resources, city funds can't be used for warrantless ICE or CBP activities,” he said during debate. McLean and other supporters cited recent local and national enforcement actions as justification for council action.

Public commenters supported the measure. Greg Woodring, who lives in Ward 2, told the council he was disappointed in what he called prior inaction and said the resolution was a “positive step” toward keeping the community safe. KJ Pedri and other residents urged stronger steps, including banning ICE from city-owned buildings.

Council debated several technical and legal edits. Council member Simmons proposed — and council adopted — changes to ensure references to law enforcement apply broadly, including civil immigration enforcement agents, after the city attorney and staff advised council to avoid language that could create intergovernmental-immunity issues. That amendment was made across clauses that originally singled out federal immigration authorities.

The final resolution also calls for the city to create an ordinance that would require law enforcement officers operating in the city to visibly display identification and (subject to limited exceptions) prohibit the use of face coverings that conceal identity during enforcement activities. Council noted that the legality of such local ordinances has been litigated in federal courts and asked the city attorney to advise on draft language.

Mayor Nicole Brown said the measure reaffirms Ypsilanti’s values as a welcoming community while noting the city must comply with state and federal law. The council’s action directs staff to return with details on implementation; the manager’s office has a 90-day window to identify properties and prepare signage.