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Atlantic Beach withdraws ICE engagement amendment after packed public comment
Summary
After extensive public comment and staff briefings, the City Commission withdrew Resolution 26-07 (an amendment concerning local engagement with ICE) and agreed to study existing agreements and return with more information at a future meeting.
Mayor Ford and the Atlantic Beach City Commission voted on Jan. 12 to withdraw Resolution 26-07, a proposed amendment concerning the city's agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after residents pressed elected officials to reconsider ties between local police and federal immigration enforcement.
The commission's action followed a sustained public comment period in which residents urged caution and greater transparency. "When local police are asked to step into federal immigration enforcement, the relationship between officers and the community changes," said Ally Hall, a lifetime resident. Ingrid McCauley asked the commission to "very, very carefully reconsider any sort of resolution to renew a collaboration with ICE," citing concerns about use-of-force incidents elsewhere.
Mayor Ford told the meeting that the motion to withdraw was meant to allow more time for review. City staff and the police chief said the department had three immigration-related engagements in the last 24 months and that one of those contacts was initiated by ICE. "In the last couple of years, the police department reports that we've had three immigration related engagements; one directly as a result of our communication with ICE," the city manager said during discussion.
Several residents, including Carol Brady and Molly Mitchell Dansiger, asked the commission not only to delay the amendment but to review all existing agreements with the Department of Homeland Security. "There are no federal or state laws that require cities to enter into these agreements," Carol Brady told commissioners, urging a thorough review.
Commissioners moved and seconded the withdrawal; after brief comments the motion passed on a voice vote. Staff said they will return with additional information, including a review of the current agreement and any options for change or termination, before the commission considers further action.
The commission did not adopt or repeal the city's current agreement at the meeting. Instead, members agreed to gather more information and revisit the topic at a later date.
