LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — As ICE raids proceed throughout the nation, right here in mid-Michigan, brokers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been believed to have been in Meridian Township Thursday.
The Meridian Township Police Division discovered Thursday morning that federal brokers have been conducting an operation, however they have no idea what it was, in keeping with Meridian Township Supervisor Scott Hendrickson.
Hendrickson initially informed 6 Information it was ICE, however later mentioned the brokers current have been really with Customs and Border Safety.
Julie Powers, Govt Director of Immigration Regulation and Justice Michigan, says amid heightened nervousness round ICE raids, she urges her shoppers to have their documentation with them always.
Powers says her group helps immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers with their paperwork to grow to be Americans or to stay in america legally.
A current Supreme Court docket ruling now permits ICE brokers to make use of “race” as an element throughout immigration stops, however Powers disagrees with the ruling calling racial profiling.
“However for those who’re right here lawfully, say, on a inexperienced card, proper? You are working, you’ve got a job, you are paying taxes, you are paying hire or you’ve got a mortgage, you are right here,” mentioned Powers.
“You are allowed to be right here lawfully, and until there is a warrant on your arrest signed by an immigration choose, you wouldn’t have to reply your door. And so what we’re making an attempt to inform folks to know is that you simply do have these rights and you need to be protected.”
In an replace, Meridian Township Police Chief Richard Grillo informed 6 Information the concept ICE was working within the space was the results of a miscommunication.
“It was Border Protection that came by. It was miscommunication in the way that it was relayed to us,” Grillo mentioned. “It was relayed incorrectly.”
Hendrickson says Meridian Township police don’t help in imposing federal immigration legal guidelines.
6 Information has reached out to Customs and Border Safety for extra info. We’ll replace you once they reply.
