SALINE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Saline public library is hosting a “Know Your Rights” forum on immigration on Nov. 16 that includes a legal resource center that has worked to thwart President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center is the only non-law enforcement entity scheduled to speak at the event. The legal resource center worked to get municipalities to cancel section 287 agreements, which allow state and local law enforcement officers to perform specified immigration officer functions. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center also says that the 287 agreements lead to racial profiling.
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The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center also advocated for passing legislation that would not allow ICE agents to cover their faces. Supporters of ICE has said that would put ICE agents at risk as they have been continually targeted by violent protesters across the country.
Also speaking at the forum is Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer, who said in January that her department was “not getting involved” in federal immigration matters. The city of Saline Police Chief Marlene Radzik is also listed as a speaker.
Dyer said educating people about their rights is not a bad thing.
“I raised my right hand and swore an oath to the Constitution as the duly-elected Sheriff for the people of Washtenaw County. That oath includes upholding our constitution,” Dyer said in an email to Michigan News Source. “My responsibility is also to the public safety of my community and part of honoring that responsibility and our constitution is making sure folks know their constitutional rights. Educating people about their rights is not a negative thing, and Democracy doesn’t get shaky when people know their rights, it gets shaky when they don’t. The panel will go over our goal as local law enforcement to keep all safe when they need help, reaffirm we as local law enforcement are not federal immigration officers, and answer questions people have.”
Radzik didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.
A flier advertising the event states it is an “educational community panel on ICE and immigration” and adds, “This presentation is presented to offer information, provide resources, and answer questions concerning ICE and immigration in Saline and nearby communities.”
