Over the course of the past months, since the recent inauguration of Donald J. Trump, many changes have taken place in the United States. In many cases, citizens in the US do not feel the effects of a new administration so quickly—this is not one of those cases.
One of these changes is the re-implementation of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Agents into “sensitive places,” such as schools and churches. This would allow migrants to be detained and removed from their places of worship and education, striking fear into the hearts of migrant parents with the possibility of their child being detained or questioned for their immigration status while they’re in school.
Stephen Miller, the new White House Deputy Chief of Staff, attempts to justify this change.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in Americans’ schools and churches to avoid arrest,” Miller said.
Many deem this reasoning as unjust or inaccurate, especially regarding schools, as migrants statistically contribute far less to the overall crime percentage than US born citizens, especially migrant children.
On January 26th, an email was sent out to the Northview Public High School staff and faculty regarding the possible threat of ICE presence in schools. It included a detailed list of how to handle the situation if it occurred, laying out a step-by-step process on what to ask, what legal rights they have, and which precautions they should carry out in case of an ICE visit to the school.
These memos are not native to Northview, as many schools across the nation have issued similar messages to their faculty and staff.
Many citizens of Grand Rapids are speaking out against the possible threats of ICE, and have been speaking out in various areas of the community.
On January 28th, 2025, a city commission meeting was held for citizens to voice concerns to our mayor, First and Second Ward Commissioners, and City Comptroller.
Upon arriving at the Grand Rapids City Hall, the building contained a packed lobby, with a winding line and a large crowd of spectators watching from the lobby seats, intensely focused on the large television centered in the lobby, livestreaming the meeting inside.
After a short waiting period, the mayor of Grand Rapids, David LaGrand, made an announcement.
“We have an obligation to speak out on this issue and speak out on moral terms, and to do everything in our power to respect, honor and support members of our community who have built their lives here,” LaGrand said. “Our city police are not in the business of enforcing immigration law. Our city police force is in the business of keeping our city safe, and dealing with crimes in our cities boundaries.”
After LaGrand’s introduction, the panel was opened, and hundreds of speakers voiced their concerns for the recent threat to the immigrant community in Grand Rapids. Only two early speakers proclaimed their belief that immigration laws should be harsher in the city of Grand Rapids, while a majority of speakers that followed protested their concern for themselves, their families, and their communities following the recent immigration crackdown.
One speaker, Anna [last name not given], a therapist at Grand Rapids Public Schools, spoke out at the City Commission hearing.
“I am getting email after email because parents’ kids are worried about their friends being deported,” Anna said.
Thankfully for the concerned citizens of Grand Rapids, Police Chief Eric Winstrom shows his support for those affected by the anti-immigration measures taking place in the country and in Grand Rapids.
“The Grand Rapids Police Department is not in the business of immigration enforcement, period.” Winstrom said on MLive. “We want people to feel comfortable calling 911, especially victims coming forward, without the fear of information regarding their documentation status being provided to immigration authorities.”
With the threat of ICE looming over many, hopefully there is comfort taken in the solidarity held with them by the Grand Rapids Police Department and the mayor of Grand Rapids.