Sheriff addresses ICE concerns; public letters from parties and Keweenaw Indivisible call for communication

Sheriff Josh Saaranen addressed the board and public, reading a prepared statement about enforcing laws to keep the public safe and explaining that deputies are not deputized to enforce or work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The sheriff said ICE monitors county sheriff activity but that deputies are not deputized to enforce ICE actions; a copy of his statement was provided to the clerk for public request.

Both the Copper Country Republican Party and members of Keweenaw Indivisible read letters during public comment. Dan Holcomb, chairman of the local Republican Party, read a letter of support for Sheriff Saaranen. Keweenaw Indivisible members urged the county to provide better public communication about community safety and asked law enforcement to stand with residents who feel threatened. One unnamed Keweenaw Indivisible member said the original resolution was supported by the sheriff and called for community-wide action to improve safety.

Chairman Tikkanen acknowledged receipt of letters from both parties and noted both had been permitted to read their statements in the meeting.