City of Southfield Statement and Resolution Affirming Community Safety, Civil Rights, and Local Policy

The City of Southfield remains committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community where all residents feel safe, respected, and supported. We understand that recent immigration enforcement activity, both nationally and in surrounding areas, including within our own city, has raised concerns.

We cannot ignore federal law, but we can and will determine how the city of Southfield engages within that framework, guided by our responsibility to protect the safety and trust of our community.
The Southfield Police Department does not participate in immigration status investigations or enforce federal immigration laws. Our officers are focused on local public safety and will respond only in a monitoring capacity to ensure transparency.

The City of Southfield does not grant access to private property or non-public spaces without proper legal authority, such as a valid warrant. Additionally, City technology, including license plate readers, is limited to vehicle related investigations and is not used for immigration enforcement.

Furthermore, The City of Southfield remains focused on community trust, safety, and ensuring all residents feel confident accessing services, support, and participating fully in community life.

Therefore, The City of Southfield is presenting a resolution for formal adoption by the Southfield City Council

Affirming Community Safety, Civil Rights, and Local Policy

WHEREAS, The City of Southfield affirms the inherent dignity, worth, and rights of all people and remains committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community where all residents feel safe, respected, and supported; and

WHEREAS, recent immigration enforcement activity both nationally and in surrounding areas, including within our own city, has raised concerns among residents; and

WHEREAS, federal law governs immigration enforcement, The City of Southfield retains the responsibility to determine how it operates within that framework in service of community safety and trust; and

WHEREAS, The City recognizes the importance of clearly defining the role, authority, and limitations of local government and law enforcement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Southfield:

• Affirm The City's commitment to local control, community safety, and the protection of civil rights for all residents; and
• Continue the Southfield Police Department's policy of not requesting documentation of citizenship when interacting with the public; and
• Clarify that, in the event of federal immigration enforcement activity within the City, Southfield Police officers will respond only in a monitoring capacity to ensure public safety; and
• State that the City of Southfield does not grant access to private property or non-public spaces without proper legal authority, including a valid judicial warrant;
• Reassure residents that City operated technologies, including license plate reader systems, are limited to vehicle related investigations, and do not identify individuals, do not use facial recognition, and are not used for immigration enforcement purposes; all data is controlled, logged, and subject to audit; and
• Emphasize the City's commitment to maintaining trust and ensuring that all residents feel safe accessing services, reporting concerns, and engaging with local government; and
• Encourage continued community dialogue and collaboration to support a safe, stable, and inclusive community.