Livonia residents use public comment to press council on ICE, policing and local infrastructure

Livonia — During the first public-comment period of the council meeting, several residents addressed the council on immigration enforcement, police conduct, community events and local infrastructure issues.

Susan Chewy opened the public-comment period and identified herself as a concerned citizen. She urged the council to "support federal law by supporting our police and handling illegal aliens over to ICE," praised DHS and ICE for child rescues and criticized Rep. Rashida Tlaib by name. Her remarks included statements about past federal deportation actions and a call for the city to back law enforcement.

Paul Pearson, a longtime Livonia resident, asked whether city leaders had followed up on concerns reported by Rep. Tlaib about the Livonia Police Department’s handling of matters related to reporting to ICE. "Has there been any further investigation into that?" Pearson asked; President Reed said the council would respond during council communications if it chose to do so, but no further response is recorded in the meeting transcript.

Other public commenters included Theo Gomoka, who offered a personal narrative in support of law enforcement; Mike Martin, who described local outreach efforts and invited residents to a library table and a March rally; and Carla Truxell, who announced SPN Survivors' "Move In with Moose" March event and said Wayne County resource cards would be available. Christopher Martin raised a public-safety complaint about a concrete slab outside the library that had raised roughly 2 inches with multiple long cracks and described it as a trip hazard.

No formal council action was taken on the public comments during the meeting; some topics were referenced later in council remarks (for example, a police statement was noted to be posted on the Livonia Police Department and city Facebook pages and city staff were said to be available to provide a sidewalk update).