Resident urges Rogers council to limit city cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

Michael Peterson asked the Rogers City Council to review and strengthen city policies on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, arguing that constitutional due process and limits on government power require clearer local rules. "I'm asking the city staff and law enforcement not to hold individuals, share information, or assist ICE unless there's a judicial warrant or clear legal obligation," Peterson said, urging the council to seek city-attorney guidance and consider formal policies.

Peterson laid out three specific requests: limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to situations with a judicial warrant or clear legal obligation; ban use of city resources (funds, personnel, vehicles, databases and facilities) for civil immigration enforcement; and require that any ICE presence on city property be documented and limited to what the law allows, with judge-signed warrants required for nonpublic spaces.

After Peterson spoke, the mayor invited the police chief to comment. The Chief said the department "doesn't actively" help ICE and that it has worked to build "community trust and transparency." The Chief stated, "We haven't ever" assisted ICE with civil immigration enforcement in Rogers and that the department does not plan to change that practice.

Peterson asked the council to formally review existing policies and direct staff to obtain legal guidance distinguishing required from optional cooperation. The council did not take formal action on the requests during this meeting; the resident's remarks were recorded during the open forum and could be referred to staff or the city attorney for follow-up.