Decorah Council Hears Comments on Immigration Separation Ordinance, Discusses Ramifications

Act now—your donation to local news ensures a brighter, more informed tomorrow. DECORAH — Calls to protect immigrant residents from federal enforcement dominated Tuesday night's Decorah City Council meeting, as speakers urged adoption of a proposed "separation ordinance" that would limit local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The issue appeared on the agenda as "Discussion on Public Comment Received Regarding Jail Services and Arrestees," after weeks of organizing by residents and the advocacy group Decorah Community for Immigrant Rights. Supporters said the ordinance would prevent local police and jail services from going beyond what federal or state law requires in working with ICE. During public comment, Ruth Palmer, a volunteer with the Immigration Action Network, told the council she opposed the federal agency's practices but urged unity in the local debate. "With the group that's gathered here, I share a common concern for the rights of immigrants, but I oppose their proposed separation ordinance, because the focus of all in this room needs to be on protecting rights. On building unity, not separation," Palmer said. "We need the passion, the energy, the ideas of every person here to commit to the protection of the most vulnerable in our community, recognizing that we are only as strong as our weakest link." Other speakers demanded clearer limits on cooperation with ICE. Christine Mohrhauser of DCIR cited deaths and abuses in immigration detention on a federal level. "Do the people of Decorah really want to be known as complacently handing over our neighbors?" she asked. "We do not want our police department aiding this known abusive agency any more than that which is absolutely legally necessary." Matthew Alexander, a Decorah resident of more than 30 years, invoked his Norwegian immigrant ancestors in urging support. "When I consider what it would have been like for my Norwegian great-grandparents to have experienced such cruel action, it stops me in my tracks," he said. "We support this proposed separation ordinance to allow for respect and pause in the lightning attacks on people and to give inherent human rights and freedoms." Some residents framed the proposal as both moral and practical. Andrea Beck, who immigrated from Spain in 2013, told council members: "As a former immigrant myself, I support this ordinance because it helps Decorah comply with federal immigration enforcement without giving away extra information that could compromise the safety of our immigrants." She warned that many local immigrants "don't feel safe walking around in our community anymore." But opponents questioned whether the city had the authority to act. Retired Spanish teacher Margaret Betteridge, who volunteers as an interpreter for IAN, said: "This proposed ordinance is not something that our city can realistically adopt. This type of reform needs to happen at the state or national level. Unfortunately, our city government can't legislate ICE." Others rebutted that claim. Eric Rovelo of DCIR told the council the ordinance was designed only to ensure local agencies "do exactly what's required under the law and nothing that isn't explicitly required." He noted that more than 40 cities and 160 counties across the U.S. have passed similar measures. City Manager Travis Goedken prefaced the council's discussion by reading a prepared statement, cautioning that nothing discussed should be seen as restricting cooperation with federal agencies. "Nothing that I give as a statement should be construed as discouraging, prohibiting or restricting law enforcement officers, employees or officials from cooperating with or assisting in federal immigration law enforcement activities," Goedken said, citing Iowa Code Chapter 27A. Council Member Cody Whittle said he asked for the item to be placed on the agenda because the community deserved transparency. "When I think about how I want government to work, I think if the public brings something forth and wants to discuss it, I think that we owe it to them to do that in an honest and open way," Whittle said. He praised both sides of the debate for "so much in common … they care so much about human rights and share a deep concern for immigrants." Council Member Emily Neal said she deliberated at length before agreeing to place the item on the agenda. While she called it "a moral moment," Neal asserted the ordinance as drafted would not protect immigrants and could instead draw harmful attention. "The ordinance proposed is either outside of the jurisdiction of the city council, against the law, or in some cases already practiced and covered by other city ordinances," Neal said. "Additionally, it opens up our city manager and our officers to unnecessary conflicts as they try to determine how to enforce a city ordinance that is in direct opposition to state law." Neal also stressed that the city has no control over the county jail, a focal point of the ordinance. "The county owns the jail and is responsible for its oversight. To be clear, the Decorah City Council has no oversight of the county jail. It merely sits on land owned by the city," she said. Council Member Brent Parker echoed that point, saying the ordinance confused the roles of city and county. "We have no say in what our elected sheriff does in his jail," Parker said. "If you have issues, maybe this is talking to him, not using the city of Decorah to circumvent that." Council Member Kirsten Olson pointed to the city's police department as already taking steps to support immigrants. He noted that officers use a language line to communicate with non-English speakers and provide a complaint process, and that no formal complaints had been received. "I think they're reaching out and doing the right things," Olson said, citing Police Chief Tricia Thein's prior experience in Marshalltown, a city "with a more diverse population." Council Member Christopher Miculinich called the ordinance's supporters sincere and urged broader collaboration. "At the end of the day I don't want to take a professional position on the set ordinance," Miculinich said. "I think it's great we're having the conversation, but … we do have a bunch of other local organizations that are fighting for the same needs in our community. I would urge a collective effort." Despite rejecting the ordinance in its current form, members repeatedly thanked residents for their comments. "I appreciate the conversation that has occurred here tonight. I know that's not an easy thing," Miculinich added. "The fact that you guys are getting up and having these conversations is a great thing to see." At a press conference held after the meeting, members of DCIR described the council discussion as a breakthrough, despite the council's stance on the ordinance. "Tonight, City Council made a critical move by putting the separation ordinance on the agenda, and that matters," Aime Rovelo, a member of DCIR, said. "Its goal is simple: keep our community safe by drawing a clear line between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement." Speakers said codifying limits on cooperation is necessary to protect against future changes in leadership. "Nothing in this ordinance is against the police," Joshua Ratel-Khan said. "What we're asking for is to codify what those discussions have looked like. You cannot guarantee that all police officers or the chief of police will continue to enact this law, especially in the political climate we're in." They also rejected claims that state law blocks local action. "They may say that Code 27A prevents us from enacting many of these things in this ordinance, but again, that's not true," Ratel-Khan said. "Our ordinance doesn't say we don't want our police to cooperate with ICE. It says we don't want to go above and beyond what the law requires." Advocates framed the measure as part of a broader national movement. "This ordinance comes from the people, from years of organizing by immigrant-led groups across the country … We know ICE is already in Iowa. Arrests are climbing. This is not a hypothetical scenario, it is very real," Rovelo said. "We will keep organizing, keep showing up and keep fighting until every immigrant in Decorah can live with dignity, safety, and freedom from deportation." Become a part of the exclusive circle! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and gain access to special offers, bonus content and insider perks.