SAGINAW, MI — A proposed City Council resolution to resist President Trump’s immigration crackdown won support only from the originator, Carly Rose Hammond, at the City Council’s Feb. 24 meeting.
Foes in the 7-1 vote expressed concerns that Trump and his enforcement team might respond with reprisals, including cuts in Saginaw’s shares of federal funding and possible legal action.
Discussion and the ensuing vote begin on the YouTube video at the 1:17.25 mark.
Hammond said she toned down her original Feb. 10 proposal to address concerns that Trump and his MAGA minions might pursue revenge, but she received the same chilly response as two weeks ago. Her lone council peer to express possible support on Feb. 10, Heidi Wiggins, did not attend on Feb. 24.
“We don’t want to put ourselves in a pickle,” said Michael Balls, summing up the opposition.
City Manager Tim Morales said questions about potential deportations may be addressed by ALPACT, Saginaw’s branch of Advocates and Leaders for Police And Community Trust, organized through the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, with the local Mexican American Council as an ongoing participant. Gilberto Guevara, MAC immigration coordinator, has said individuals and families without citizenship papers are scattered across mid-Michigan, some full-year, others as seasonal farm workers. No specific count in on record for people without papers in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Saginaw’s former Human Relations Commission, organized in 1958 by Henry Marsh before he became a councilman and mayor, dissolved after the millennium’s turn because of lack of member participation. A Citizens Police Advisory Commission was formed following a nationwide outcry after George Floyd’s death in 2020, but it has not established a public presence.
Hammond’s proposal is not for Trump’s main bane, sanctuary cities like Chicago that openly resist ICE operations and raids, and council foes say an updated vision statement from their mid-winter planning session should be enough to cover the issue. The revised language states: “Saginaw, through collaboration and public/private ventures, will be a welcoming community that promotes neighborhood growth; stimulates business development and innovation; and fosters entertainment.”
Hammond responds that the “welcoming” statement is aimed at promoting community development, not at preventing deportations. Following is the text of her resolution that was defeated:
"WHEREAS, the City of Saginaw is a diverse and inclusive community that values the contributions of all residents, regardless of their national origin, perceived immigration status, race, ethnicity, or background;
"and WHEREAS, fostering trust between local government, law enforcement, and all members of the community is essential to ensuring public safety and effective community engagement;
"and WHEREAS, the City of Saginaw recognizes that all populations contribute to the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the city, and that an environment of fear and uncertainty can have a detrimental effect on these contributions;
"and WHEREAS, local government resources should be prioritized to support and protect all residents, ensuring access to city services, educational opportunities, housing, healthcare, and public safety without discrimination;
"and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of public safety that all residents feel comfortable reporting crimes, seeking emergency assistance, and participating in civic life without fear of retaliation;
"and WHEREAS, the City of Saginaw upholds constitutional protections, including due process and equal protection under the law, for all individuals within its jurisdiction, regardless of actual or perceived immigration status.
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
"1. Commitment to Inclusion and Public Safety. The City of Saginaw affirms its commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive community for all residents, regardless of immigration status or perceived immigration status.
"2. Access to City Services Without Discrimination. No resident shall be denied access to any city services, including but not limited to housing assistance, emergency services, community health programs, or public safety resources, based on their immigration status or perceived immigration status.
"3. Public Awareness and Implementation. The City of Saginaw shall continue to promote policies and programs that support the integration and well-being of all residents, including language access, workforce development, and community outreach initiatives.
"4. Distribution of This Resolution. The City Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this resolution to the Saginaw Police Chief, all law enforcement personnel, and other pertinent city officials and departments to ensure awareness, adherence, and enforcement of this resolution."
Meanwhile, Bay City Commissioner Chris Rudberg says he will introduce a welcoming community resolution on March 3. Rudberg’s focus is on not using local taxpayer money for police to assist the feds, describing it as an “unfunded mandate.”
