Chelsea City Council passed a resolution requiring Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers to make themselves clearly identifiable when engaging in legal activity in the city of Chelsea at the March 9 meeting.
“I see this resolution as really about keeping our community safe and ensuring that everyone feels comfortable accessing city buildings and public services,” councilmember Eric Keaton said. “We’re committed to transparency, accountability and equal treatment under our civil rights policy, and this resolution continues that work by ensuring that any enforcement activity in our buildings is done openly, lawfully and only when required by valid judicial warrant.”
The resolution had been discussed previously at Council’s Feb. 23 meeting. The language from the original draft was shortened and made more specific to Chelsea before March 9.
“The City reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive community, and to protecting the safety, dignity, and civil rights of all residents, including immigrant and mixed-status families,” the resolution reads.
The resolution is also designed to give clear instructions for how city staff is expected to handle any interactions with ICE officers. This would not prevent ICE officers from entering public areas of city buildings, but would restrict activity in non-public areas without the issuing of a judicial warrant.
“I think it’s also important because it gives […] the city employees guidance on what the rules are,” councilmember Jacquelyn Bullerman said. “It removes them from being put in a bad, awkward place. They know what is expected, and I think that’s an important piece as well.”
The resolution was passed unanimously.
Editor’s Note: This item, passed at the March 9 meeting and discussed at the Feb. 23 meeting, is a resolution. The Sun Times News previously referred to it as an “ordinance.” An ordinance is a part of city law, while a resolution is a statement made by Council. We apologize for the error.
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