Press Room

Federal Backlash of Kent County Policy

"Scholten said that ICE is using 'fear-mongering tactics' and trying 'to bully our local officials into a kind of compliance that is simply not required under the law. ICE is an agency with completely unchecked power to arrest and detain individuals, and, as evidenced by the recent case of Jilmar Ramos Gomez, sometimes based purely on blatant racial profiling.'" - Hillary Scholten (Detroit News)

(Detroit Free Press - March 2, 2019)

Racial Profiling in Detention of U.S. Citizen

"To suggest that Captain VanderKooi was investigating terrorism, when he asked ICE only about Mr. Ramos-Gomez’s ‘status’ and did not follow up despite not receiving a response for two days, doesn’t pass the laugh test. This was racial profiling, pure and simple." - Hillary Scholten (Detroit News) (Detroit Free Press) (WoodTV 8) (Michigan Radio) (Fox 17)

(MLive - February 25, 2019)

Detention of DACAmented Youth in GR

"It’s hard to say that this was not retaliatory in nature in any way. Here you have an outspoken activist with Movimiento Cosecha who has been speaking out against ICE’s activities in our community." - Hillary Scholten

(Michigan Radio - February 23, 2019)

Record of Kzoo ICE Holds Withheld

“We see a lot of people statewide turned over to ICE on detainers after being arrested for driving without a license.” - Susan Reed

(MLive - February 21, 2019)

Disparities in Access to Healthcare

"Parents are being asked about where they're from and other questions meant to intimidate or harass them, or frighten them away from seeking benefits for their children who are eligible and need basic support." - Anna Hill

(Second Wave Media - February 7, 2019)

WICIR Urgent Response for Deportation Defense

"[WICIR relies] on pro bono resources through the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and through trusted partnerships with private immigration attorneys."

(Truthout - February 1, 2019)

ICE Holds End in Kent County

"Kent County no longer voluntarily holds detainees for Immigration and Customs Enforcement following community campaign supported by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and ACLU."

(The Detroit News - January 18, 2019)

U.S. Citizen Targeted for Deportation in Kent County

"This is precisely the type of incident that we warned would happen. And unfortunately, now it has." - Hillary Scholten (WZZM13) (MLive)

(CNN - January 18, 2019)

Law Behind the Headlines in Berrien County

"Imagine getting pulled over by your local law enforcement officer and being asked to show your [1040] as proof that you have paid all your taxes." - Susan Reed

(The Herald Palladium - December 11, 2018)

Kalamazoo Limited Cooperation with ICE Policy

"The new policy no longer authorizes 48 hour optional holds for ICE by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department. Providing optional operational support for a federal agency that enforces a deeply broken immigration law needlessly exacerbates fear and mistrust of law enforcement in our community.” - Susan Reed

(WMMT - December 5, 2018)

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