By Susan Kuehn
The City of Northwood is considering a resolution that would authorize the city to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposed resolution was introduced by Councilmember Louis Fahrbach and had its 1st reading on February 27th. Councilmember Fahrbach stated that his resolution would ensure the city is clear about procedures and it would send a signal that our law enforcement agencies, both local and federal, “are going to work together…and not against each other”[1] (reference: Toledo Blade, 3/1/2025, and hyperlink below).
Pertinent parts of the proposed resolution are summarized below[2] (reference: Toledo Blade, 3/17/2025 and hyperlink below):
- The resolution states that the city recognizes the importance of upholding federal immigration laws in the interest of public safety and national security. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating criminal activities related to national security, public safety, and border integrity, it further states.
- Cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agencies, including ICE, enhances the ability to address serious crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent criminal activity.
- The resolution also states that the city acknowledges its responsibility to balance public safety with the protection of individual rights and due process under the U.S. Constitution and seeks to establish clear and lawful guidelines for its cooperation with ICE in accordance with federal and state laws.
- It concludes that the city, including its law enforcement agencies, shall cooperate with ICE in lawful enforcement actions as permitted by federal and state law. Also, the city shall not prohibit its officers or other personnel from sharing information with ICE regarding individuals who are subject to federal immigration enforcement.
- Northwood police will consider honoring ICE detainer requests for individuals lawfully detained for criminal offenses, provided that such cooperation aligns with constitutional requirements and does not violate any applicable state or federal laws. The department shall develop and implement training protocols to ensure that officers understand the scope of cooperation with ICE.
- The resolution does not require the city to engage in independent immigration enforcement operations outside of cooperation with ICE in lawful activities.
- Northwood will maintain transparency with ICE, providing periodic reports to the council regarding the nature and extent of such cooperation.
The proposed resolution got a surprise pushback during the public comment time from three individuals who testified against it
Dave Gallaher, a former city councilman, said during the audience comments at the March 13th city council meeting, “It’s nothing more than a solution looking for a problem… I didn’t realize there was a problem. If there were, I would guess the police chief would be on that. As far as I’m concerned, [it’s unnecessary] it’s political theater[3] (reference: Toledo Blade, 3/17/2025 and hyperlink below).
Nathaly Bernier, another resident of Northwood since 2020, urged the city council to vote against the resolution. “I believe we have great local law enforcement officers, and they should focus on serious crime issues,” she said.
Susan Kuehn, of Toledo, who is with the Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition and Ohio Immigrant Alliance, said “My concern is it’s leading to possibly …the city of Northwood contracting with ICE,” said Ms. Kuehn, “Municipalities are being lobbied by ICE all over the country because they can’t seem to make their quotas [under the Trump directives] and they want municipality assistance,” she said. Ms. Kuehn went on to state her additional concern that the City of Northwood and its Law Enforcement Agencies may be moving towards entering into a 287(g)[4] contract with ICE to authorize and mandate the City and its local law enforcement agencies and city employees to:
- Hand over immigration status information to ICE regarding individuals who are subject to federal immigration enforcement;
- Require local law enforcement agencies to honor ICE detainer requests for individuals lawfully detained in the local jails for criminal offenses; and
- Waste Northwood Police Department’s limited funds and resources to develop and implement training and protocols to ensure that officers understand the scope of their cooperation with ICE.
Ms. Kuehn also emphasized during her testimony the negative consequences of entangling local policing with Immigration Enforcement: high litigation risks for local police departments cooperating with ICE involving discriminatory practices (racial profiling) in arrests and deportations; the chilling effect entering a relationship with ICE would have on the local immigrant communities when factors such as fear and distrust of police would keep them from reporting crimes, and the breakdown of any past positive outcomes from community policing practices the city has supported.
A third and final reading and vote on the proposed resolution will occur at the next Northwood City Council meeting, Thursday, March 27th, at 7 pm, and is open to the public. The address is Northwood Municipal Complex, 6000 Wales Rd, Northwood, OH 43619. Public comment will be allowed.
[1] https://www.toledoblade.com/local/suburbs/2025/03/01/northwood-ice-immigration-council-considers-cooperation-resolution-police-ohio/stories/20250227111
[2] https://www.toledoblade.com/local/suburbs/2025/03/17/proposed-northwood-cooperation-agreement-with-ice-draws-protest/stories/20250314117
[3] https://www.toledoblade.com/local/suburbs/2025/03/17/proposed-northwood-cooperation-agreement-with-ice-draws-protest/stories/20250314117
[4] Ibid. [The 287(g) program, established under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, essentially deputizes local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions, allowing them to work alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.]