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Residents urge Monroe County to end ICE detention contract as public comments grow heated
Summary
Dozens of residents used two public-comment periods to urge the Monroe County Board of Commissioners to rescind the county's contract to hold ICE detainees, citing national incidents, local detention statistics and moral objections. Speakers asked the board to prioritize community safety and representation.
Scores of Monroe County residents told county commissioners on Jan. 21 that the board should end the county's contract to house Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees.
"It's wrong. It's unconstitutional," said Darcy Piedmont of District 2, urging commissioners to enter closed session to hear legal findings about the Mark Brandt matter and asking at least six commissioners to vote to do so. Residents across multiple public-comment turns pointed repeatedly to recent national incidents involving ICE agents and urged local action. Nicole, who identified herself as a lifelong Monroe County resident, said she "could not accept and do not agree with any contracts that are made with ICE in my town." (Nicole, SEG 339-385)
Speakers cited local and national data during their remarks. Haley Cassis referenced Minnesota's homicide of Renee Good and said Michigan holds more than 65,000 detainees; several speakers cited reporting that large shares of detainees lack criminal convictions, and Kyle Sell said reporting indicates roughly 90% of detainees in Monroe County have never been convicted of a crime. Nadine told the board that Monroe appears to receive about "$77 per day" for ICE detainees and described per-diem figures; in response the chair indicated Sheriff Goodenough would meet with residents to discuss operational details and revenue.
Opponents framed the contract as a moral and public-safety concern. "We should not be complicit in a system that separates families, profiles indigenous people, or empowers violent extremism," said Katie Beth Davis of Monroe Charter Township, who told the board the county's agreement with ICE runs through February 2027. (Katie Beth Davis, SEG 428-512)
Other speakers defended keeping the contract. Donald Crowley, who identified himself as a retired federal law-enforcement officer, said counties need the capacity to accept ICE detainers and warned of budget impacts if the county ends the contract. Mike Shufelt said he supports Monroe public safety officers and said bringing in federal forces would be a "humiliation" to local law enforcement.
The board did not vote on the ICE contract during the meeting. Commissioners took no immediate formal action to rescind or renew the agreement at the Jan. 21 session; several residents requested more public information and a meeting with Sheriff Goodenough to review operational and revenue details.
Ending: The ICE-contract debate dominated the evening's public-comment periods and is likely to return to the board as residents seek more information about the contract terms, revenue and legal options. No formal motion to change the contract was adopted at the meeting.
