Center Line, MI, Withdraws Police Department’s Contract with ICE
After a heated city council meeting where residents voiced their concerns, Center Line, a small community in Macomb County, Michigan, has decided to rescind its police department’s contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agreement, operating under ICE’s “287(g)” program, allowed local police to act on behalf of ICE and arrest individuals suspected of being undocumented.
Amanda Ressler, a resident of Center Line, was among those who urged city leaders to terminate the contract, citing concerns about racial profiling, financial costs to the city, and potential delays in emergency response due to officers being engaged with ICE tasks.
Christine Sauvé from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center emphasized the risks associated with local police carrying out ICE responsibilities, stating that the practice could lead to racial profiling and legal challenges if U.S. citizens or individuals with legal residency status are wrongfully apprehended.
The City of Center Line expressed its intention to equip officers with training on immigration laws, multicultural communication, and racial profiling avoidance. Following discussions with city council members and the mayor, the City Manager decided to withdraw from the ICE contract, citing the city’s best interests.
Other Michigan Law Enforcement Agencies Involved in ICE Agreements
While Center Line has exited the ICE contract, three other law enforcement agencies in Michigan – Taylor Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office – have similar agreements in place. Additionally, the City of West Branch has applied for participation in the program, pending approval.
Under the 287(g) program, local police are trained by ICE to check the immigration status of individuals arrested for other offenses, such as DUI. However, they are not authorized to arrest individuals solely based on suspicion of being undocumented. The contracts allow agencies to detain arrested individuals for up to two days for ICE to take over custody if necessary.
ICE’s objective with the 287(g) program is to collaborate with state and local law enforcement to remove individuals who pose a threat to community safety and violate U.S. immigration laws. It is important to note that local law enforcement agencies do not receive reimbursement from ICE for their involvement in assisting with immigration-related tasks.
