St. James council to hold work session after residents, ACLU urge city policies on ICE interactions

Residents and civil-rights advocates urged the St. James City Council on Feb. 4 to develop city-level policies to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and to improve real-time notification and reporting when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is present in the community. After public remarks the council voted to hold a work session with representatives from Watenwan County Cares to consider options.

Julio Murphy Sallaya, who identified himself as an ACLU-affiliated speaker, told the council that while a city’s legal authority is limited, city leaders could take steps to clarify ‘‘how and what is the role of St. James’’ when federal immigration agents operate locally. ‘‘Clarity for both first responders and the community is going to be something that is looked for in the upcoming months,’’ Julio said, offering ACLU support as the city explores options.

John Wilson, a spokesperson for Watenwan County Cares, read a detailed set of requests for the city, including repealing or removing any police policies that require cooperation with ICE; prohibiting city employees from assisting ICE or allowing ICE to use city property; requiring public, near‑real‑time notifications in English and Spanish when ICE is in St. James; documenting and publishing reports of ICE activity; and making related training materials public. Wilson framed the proposals as measures to build community trust and protect public safety.

Mayor Chris acknowledged residents’ fear and said he had investigated reports of ICE presence earlier in January. ‘‘I did find out from a source that they were in our community,’’ the mayor said, adding that the city’s official communications are the council meetings and the city website. He also emphasized the police department’s priority: ‘‘Our priority is public safety. Our police officers follow that. Federal immigration agents is a federal responsibility. That is not ours.’’

Council members expressed support for both a locally focused response and for coordination with neighboring jurisdictions. One councilor suggested inviting two or three members of Watenwan County Cares to meet with commissioners to draft possible policies; another emphasized the value of beginning locally rather than waiting for broader county or state action.

A county commissioner and a county-board member clarified the county’s current posture. Waton County Commissioner Jim said the county board had not received a formal request from the city to collaborate on a joint public statement. Amanda, who said she serves on the county board, said the sheriff’s office preferred to handle its own communications and that the school district has issued its own outreach to families.

Following discussion, a council member moved for a near-term work session with representatives from Watenwan County Cares; the motion was seconded and carried in a voice vote. Councilors asked staff to coordinate dates and to invite a small group of community representatives to help draft options that respect local authority and public-safety responsibilities.

The council did not adopt any specific ordinance or policy at the meeting; instead members agreed to continue the conversation in a focused work session and to seek community input and clarification of county roles where appropriate. The work session is intended to identify feasible, legally appropriate measures the city could adopt and to determine any necessary coordination with the county, school district or neighboring municipalities.