On Tuesday morning, the Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights (FAIR) held a conference at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library to denounce the Metro Police Authority of Genesee County’s decision to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE and to stand against any further agreements with ICE in Genesee County. The event was well attended by faith leaders, public health professionals, educators and community members.
Speakers emphasized the devastating impact of ICE partnerships on families, children and community trust.
- “Responding to this moment requires all of us to take part in uprooting the forces of harm that are, by design, perpetuating hate and bigotry, ripping families apart, targeting free speech and activism, and removing protections from the most vulnerable around us,” — Lucine Jarrah, FAIR Coalition Member
- “My Hispanic students come to school trembling, afraid ICE will grab them at the bus stop or walk into their school to tear them away from their families. Children should never, never, have to fear law enforcement — and yet in Genesee County, they do.” — Anonymous Genesee County Educator
- “True safety comes from trust between police and residents, not fear and separation. When police align with ICE, they are no longer protecting our whole community — they are targeting part of it.” — Eileen Hayes, Michigan Faith in Action
- “When people live in fear, they delay or forgo seeking healthcare. We see them when they are sicker, and children carry that trauma into schools. These policies have lasting health consequences for our entire community.” — Dr. Lisa Lapyrouse, public health professional
- “The only thing many of these individuals are guilty of is simply being in this country to work and give their children the same opportunity you and I would want for ours. This agreement is affecting us all, and we cannot put up with it.” — Aurora Sauceda, Commissioner, Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
- “Increased ICE presence in our community does not make Flint safer or stronger. Instead, it devastates families and creates fear among people who have called this place home for decades.” — Statement read on behalf of the Shamma family, a Burton family impacted by detention
The press conference concluded with FAIR’s list of seven demands for local officials, including immediate termination of the 287(g) agreement, accountability and transparency, due process protections, an end to racial profiling, and investment in community safety instead of deportation.
As FAIR coalition member Alysia Treviño noted in closing: “This press conference is not the end of the conversation. It’s a step toward building a safer, more welcoming future for those who live here. And we will not stop organizing until that vision is realized.”
