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Marquette residents press county commissioners to limit ICE and DHS activity; board to draft resolution
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Marquette County Board of Commissioners to adopt a resolution limiting local cooperation with ICE and DHS, citing fears about masked agents, data-sharing, and deputization; commissioners said staff and counsel will draft language and consult law enforcement.
Dozens of residents urged the Marquette County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 to draft a resolution restricting county cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), saying current federal enforcement tactics are creating fear in the community.
Debbie White, who opened the public-comments sequence by reading a citizens’ letter, asked the board to “explore a clear, transparent policy that at a minimum upholds constitutional protections and due process for all individuals regardless of immigration and citizenship status” and to reaffirm that county employees are not deputized as federal immigration agents. Caitlin Jensen told the board she was grateful to commissioners who had supported starting a draft resolution and urged them to make a public statement against “masked unidentifiable federal agents” operating locally.
Speakers asked the county to prohibit entering into agreements under the Immigration and Nationality Act (Section 287(g)), restrict use of county facilities and staff for federal immigration enforcement beyond what is legally required, and protect sensitive data (including voter rolls) from being shared with federal agencies. Ruby Miller, an organizer with We The People Action Fund, told the board a policy could reduce voter intimidation and increase participation ahead of the November election.
Commissioners acknowledged the volume of public input and emphasized a deliberate approach. Commissioner Newman said the work of drafting policy has begun and invited people with differing views to participate in discussions, but added, “we want accountability in the way they’re doing it.” Chairperson DiRosa and other commissioners said they will work with the sheriff’s office, prosecutors, and county legal counsel to develop possible language and to ensure any action follows state and federal law.
The board did not adopt a resolution at the Feb. 17 meeting; commissioners said staff will continue drafting options and bring proposals back for further consideration.
