Residents urge South Ogden council to limit local cooperation with ICE; mayor stresses legal limits

Public commenters at the March council meeting urged South Ogden officials to adopt written policies limiting local cooperation with federal immigration agents and to publish regular reports of any interactions.

"I request transparent reporting on ICE detainment between Ogden city police and the Weber County Sheriff's Office," said Stephanie Jerome, an Ogden resident, who cited recent data and asked the city to ensure detained people are not being racially profiled. Joshua Creek, another resident, told the council a nonbinding resolution was not enough and called for ordinances to: bar local participation in civil immigration enforcement beyond federal requirements; prohibit voluntary data-sharing without judicial warrants; and require quarterly and annual public reporting.

Several residents described fear in the community. "My students are afraid that they're gonna come home and their families won't be there," said Kayla Henriksen, a local secondary school teacher, asking the council for "a concrete written out plan for what is going to happen" if ICE operates locally.

Angel Castillo, speaking online, argued cities can still control local resources and documentation to reduce legal exposure: "You can require a judicial warrant before local resources are used," Castillo said, urging transparency and limits on access to city databases.

Council members and staff said they are constrained by state law. Council member (S5) said a previously proposed joint resolution was withdrawn after staff found it ran counter to state statute. "Instead, it was withdrawn because it ran counter to established state statute," the council member said, and council staff and the city attorney were surprised by that statute, Paul (a council member who spoke during the meeting) added.

Mayor Nigowski responded at length, saying the city must operate "within the law" and emphasizing that local leaders cannot change federal enforcement actions. He read from a public Homeland Security listing and said "47 people" had been removed from the area for serious crimes, and he urged distinguishing efforts to remove people with violent records from measures intended to protect residents' rights. The mayor also said the city is expanding a "pathway program to citizenship" and is working with council members to increase participation.

On procedural questions about policing, the mayor said the city disciplined and cooperated with outside agencies in a recent officer-misconduct case that led to termination. Responding to a comment that an officer carried a "grenade launcher," the mayor said he had "never seen one here" and that he did not believe the department owned such equipment.

Council members said they would continue to look for lawful tools to respond to community concerns and noted limitations of local authority on immigration policy. The council did not adopt new ordinances or impose restrictions on local police cooperation during the meeting; members said staff and legal counsel will continue to examine options that comply with state law.

The public-comment period and the mayor's response made clear several themes: residents seek written policies and public reporting regarding local interactions with federal immigration agents; officials say they are constrained by state and federal law but will explore permissible options; and the city is expanding services aimed at legal pathways for residents.

The council recessed to continue work sessions after approving minutes earlier in the meeting. The mayor and council members said follow-up conversations and staff work would continue.