Columbus mayor responds to concerns about violence from ICE raids happening here
Mayor Skip Henderson promised during Tuesday night’s Columbus Council meeting that local law enforcement has been and will continue to limit its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Columbus resident Amy Spencer spoke during the public agenda portion of the meeting, raising concerns about the ongoing ICE presence and multiple shootings in Minnesota. Spencer implored the Columbus Council to take steps to ensure similar scenes cannot happen in Muscogee County.
“We’re all aware of what’s going on in Minnesota,” she said. “Regardless of one’s position on immigration reform or enforcement, we know violence is not necessary for enforcement. Our immigrant neighbors are a vital, vibrant part of our community, and they should not live in fear of being terrorized by our government.”
Previous statements from local law enforcement on this topic have been vague, Spencer said, She asked for the city to provide more transparency about the role local law enforcement is playing in immigration enforcement.
Spencer argued for accessible public updates, written in English and Spanish, on all communications, agreements or lack of agreements that local law enforcement has with ICE.
“This transparency is vital to have a chain of accountability when judicial warrants are not present,” she said.
If ICE has a presence in Columbus, like what has been seen in Minnesota, Spencer said, she wants local law enforcement to observe their actions to ensure they remain within the law.
Spencer requested the council and the mayor deny approval for local agencies to participate in the 287 (g) Program, which is a set of partnerships between ICE and state and local agencies that turns local officials into ICE agents.
“Our local law enforcement is already overworked and underpaid,” she said, “and they should not be burdened by the duties of any other organizations.”
Spencer also asked the mayor and the council to ensure ICE agents are not allowed to wear masks when enforcing the law.
Two weeks ago, state Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) remarked about this issue, saying it is “the responsibility of law enforcement leaders to make that decision.”
Monday, Georgia House of Representatives miniority leader Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus) warned against immigration enforcement violence coming to the state.
Mayor Skip Henderson’s response
The city has had conversations with representatives from ICE, Henderson said during the meeting.
“I can tell you what our police department’s philosophy is,” he said. “They don’t go looking for anybody who might not have a visa to be in our county. The only way they’ll ever participate with ICE is if there’s a warrant and they’re looking to apprehend somebody who’s committed a crime in our community or other areas.”
Henderson said he understands the sensitivity about this issue is growing by the day, and the Columbus Council has been “watching and keeping an eye out.”
“We never know if they’re going to move folks into our area or other areas,” he said.
Henderson promised to provide more frequent updates on the matter.
“Our police chief, sheriff and all of our law enforcement folks do a good job of making sure that they are only policing people who have broken the law,” he said.
Columbus’ geographic position has made the city important for ICE operations at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, with the Columbus Airport being used to transport detainees to and from the center.
