Local immigration enforcement cooperation
Advocacy groups have pressed Kent County for sanctuary-style limits on local cooperation with ICE and federal immigration enforcement, including jail practices. The Board and county have declined, citing legal and constitutional limits on county authority, and have avoided non-binding resolutions; the debate has included protests at the Board Chair’s home and meeting disruptions.
Should Kent County limit local law-enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities?
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Sources
MLive / Board Chair Ben Greene — https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/03/kent-county-board-chair-condemns-protest-at-his-home-he-says-frightened-family.html
Advocacy groups pressured for “sanctuary”-style policies limiting local cooperation with ICE/federal immigration enforcement and jail use. Board/county declined
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Adopt full sanctuary policies barring any local assistance to ICE and end jail holds
- Restrict cooperation to only serious criminal cases and end routine information sharing
- Maintain current legal compliance without new sanctuary resolutions or expanded aid
- Increase proactive information sharing and honor all ICE detainers within the law
- Actively partner with federal agents for worksite and community enforcement operations