Resident urges Kent County to adopt sanctuary policies, criticizes ICE holds

John Haines, a Grand Rapids resident, used the general public-comment period on April 23 to press the Kent County Board of Commissioners on the sheriff's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Haines said he had reviewed the county's Kent County 2050 plan and argued the sheriff's practice of holding people for ICE after bond, in some cases without a judicial warrant, is inconsistent with the plan's stated priorities of safety, prosperity and inclusion. "The Kent County sheriff is holding people for ICE even after they've paid bond and in cases where there is no judicial warrant," Haines said. He described the practice as a local decision with real consequences — families separated, people afraid to call police and detained people sent to facilities with alleged overcrowding and poor conditions.

Haines asked the board to do two things: publicly acknowledge that holding people for ICE without a warrant conflicts with the Kent County 2050 values, and adopt six sanctuary policies advocated by Movimiento Cosecha and community members so county practice aligns with the county's stated vision.

Chair Green thanked Haines for his remarks. The board did not take action at the meeting on the requested policies; commissioners and staff acknowledged the public comment would be part of ongoing conversations and oversight of sheriff's practices.

What happens next: no formal votes or referrals were recorded on the transcript; Haines' remarks were entered into the public record and could inform future oversight requests or committee agendas.