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Durham council discusses ICE flights at Pease, sheriff meeting and proposed UNH protest resolution
Summary
Councilors discussed a briefing by Strafford County Sheriff Kathryn Mone on ICE flights from Pease (including claims about detainee treatment), and Councilor Em Friedrichs proposed a draft resolution asking Durham and UNH to acknowledge mismanagement of the May 1 protest; discussion revealed differing views and no formal action was taken.
Durham Town Councilors on Sept. 15 discussed concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flights operating from Pease and whether the town or county should take a formal position, following a reported meeting between some Council members, the Human Rights Committee and Strafford County Sheriff Kathryn Mone.
Councilor Em Friedrichs summarized the Sheriff’s remarks, saying the Sheriff reported detainees were being shackled, had faces covered at Pease, and were sometimes moved without translation services; Friedrichs said zir understanding was that the Sheriff’s Office accompanies detainees to medical appointments but declined to escort them from the County Jail to airplanes. Councilor Curtis Register expressed confidence in Sheriff Mone and said commissioners are aware of the issue; he also reported being told U.S. Marshals had taken operational control of part of the Sheriff’s building.
Separately, Councilor Friedrichs raised a draft resolution about the May 1 UNH protest seeking acknowledgement of mismanagement and (potentially) an apology from town and university leadership. Councilors debated the merits of reopening the matter; some argued the town had previously adopted a resolution and reopening it could alienate UNH or re‑ignite controversy. Administrator Todd Selig said he believes outside agitators contributed to the May 1 events but acknowledged he could not prove it in the meeting.
No formal action was taken on ICE flights or the proposed apology resolution; Councilors discussed inviting the Sheriff or other officials to brief public bodies in the future.
What’s next: possible future briefings from Sheriff Kathryn Mone or county officials and consideration of whether to bring any resolution back to a future meeting after more discussion.
