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Sunbury council reviews MOU on immigration enforcement; chief outlines limits, termination rights and training
Summary
During a work session the council discussed a proposed MOU with federal immigration authorities. Police Chief Slack said the city cannot direct federal actions but can end the agreement; council members pressed for clarity on liability, arrest/transfer procedures and audit/reimbursement provisions.
Sunbury City Council members spent a portion of their work session reviewing a proposed memorandum of understanding related to cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (described in discussion as a 287(g)-style arrangement). The discussion focused on training requirements, liability when persons are taken into custody and how transfers or notifications to federal authorities would be handled.
Chief Slack addressed council questions about the department’s authority and legal limits. “I don’t know that we can tell the federal government what we will or will not do. However, we at all times may end the agreement,” the chief said, adding that the city’s officers must follow training and that the agreement cannot require unlawful action. He also explained that when officers make arrests on local charges they will process criminal charges as normal and that federal custody or notifications would follow existing procedures.
Council members asked about practicalities: at what point custody or transfer decisions are made, who pays for transports, and whether an audit or termination clause could be triggered by specific incidents. The chief and other staff said that routine arrests and transports would be handled by local processes, that ICE notification would occur when federal interest is identified, and that contract language could be used to clarify responsibility and termination timelines.
No formal vote or contract adoption occurred during the session. Council members requested clearer contract language on liability, reimbursement and audit triggers and indicated they may seek further review with the solicitor and other legal counsel before any formal action.
The meeting then moved into the regular session at 6:15 p.m.
