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Residents urge Marquette County to limit federal immigration enforcement; commissioners say they will review policy options
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Marquette County Board of Commissioners to adopt a policy limiting actions by DHS and ICE, oppose deputization of county staff and require federal agents to display identification; commissioners said they will consult the sheriff, prosecutor and civil counsel before proposing any formal action.
Dozens of residents urged the Marquette County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 to adopt a local policy limiting federal immigration enforcement activity and to avoid deputizing county employees to enforce immigration law.
Speakers during the public-comment period repeatedly requested a county resolution or policy that would limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from operating in ways residents said created fear in the community. Debbie White asked the county to “create a policy for Federal Agencies,” and several other speakers — including Katelynn Jensen, Ryan Stock and Rev. Meg Trimm — asked the board to consider rules to protect protesters and to restrain county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Why it matters: Residents said the presence and tactics of federal agents have raised community concern and urged local safeguards. Several callers asked the county to adopt specific measures such as refusing deputization of county staff, requiring agents to display agency identification and limiting county resource support for federal immigration actions.
The public comments included a range of suggestions and examples. Margaret Brumm proposed a 90-day resolution requiring all law‑enforcement personnel, including federal agents operating locally, to wear visible identification (badge with number, name and agency) and forbidding masks that would obscure faces. Jenna Keller and other speakers asked the board to decline deputizing county employees for DHS or ICE work and to protect the rights of protesters. Commenters also raised concerns about detention centers and urged de‑escalation training in voter engagement contexts.
Commissioners responded at the end of the meeting, acknowledging public concern and outlining next steps. Commissioner Numinen summarized four elements residents had requested: no masks, use of body cameras, uniforms with identification and use‑of‑force limitations, and said the board would work toward a “reasonable policy.” Chairperson Joseph Derocha said the board would consult the Sheriff’s Office, the Prosecutor’s Office and civil counsel and would follow the constitution and the letter of the law as it explores options.
What happened next: The board did not vote on a formal resolution or policy at the Feb. 17 meeting. Commissioners framed the next step as staff and legal review; no timeline for a formal proposal or vote was announced.
Community context: Multiple residents who spoke live in Marquette or nearby towns; several asked the county to consider sanctuary-style protections or limits on county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The transcript does not record any staff report that the county is currently deputizing employees for DHS or ICE.
