Community Resolution Requesting County Review of ICE Detentions in the Douglas County Jail

WHEREAS, the County Jail is funded primarily by local taxpayers and is intended to serve local public safety needs; and

WHEREAS, agreements to house individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may affect jail capacity, staffing demands, operational costs, and liability exposure; and

WHEREAS, counties across the Midwest have reconsidered or terminated ICE detention agreements after determining that such arrangements did not provide net fiscal benefit or posed increased legal and operational risk; and

WHEREAS, the use of local jail facilities for federal civil immigration detention may impact community trust in local government and law enforcement, which is a key component of effective public safety; and

WHEREAS, transparency and regular policy review are essential when county resources are used for purposes beyond core local functions;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the undersigned residents respectfully request that the County Board:

1.) Conduct a public review of any current or proposed agreements allowing ICE detainees to be held in the County Jail, including:

-Direct and indirect costs
-Staffing and capacity impacts
-Liability and legal risk
-Reimbursement rates and payment reliability

2.) Release a public report detailing the findings of this review, including whether such agreements provide a clear net benefit to county taxpayers and local public safety operations.

3.) Reconsider the continuation or approval of ICE detention agreements if they are found to:

-Strain jail capacity or staffing
-Increase legal or financial risk
-Divert resources from local public safety priorities

4.) Prioritize the use of the County Jail for local needs, including pre-trial detention, public safety, and rehabilitation services that directly serve county residents.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this request is made in the interest of responsible governance, fiscal stewardship, public safety, and maintaining trust between local institutions and the communities they serve.