Above: An ERO SET team walks through a detention facility in riot gear by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Photo courtesy of Flickr
SAU Media major and Buzz writer Grant Ward concludes their special series on the operations of and student reactions to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In part 3, they discuss how discussions from the City of Davenport Aldermen began, current ICE detainee deaths, and new ICE deployments.
ICE is ramping up deployments across the U.S. USA Today reports 330 ICE agents are planned to be deployed in more than 40 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Texas will receive the most, with 49 people deployed. “Other cities targeted for increased ICE presence include Miami, Atlanta, Baltimore, Nashville and Seattle. Smaller locations include Conchi, Arizona; Manhattan, Kansas; and Hot Springs, South Dakota.”
This follows reports of ICE’s 18th detainee death of 2026. CBS News reports 33-year-old Denny Adan Gonzales “was found unresponsive in his cell at the privately operated Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, late Tuesday. The agency described the suspected cause of death as suicide and said its investigation is ongoing.
“Last year, ICE recorded 31 detainee deaths, a two-decade high that nearly surpassed the all-time record set in 2004, when 32 deaths were reported.”
One SAU freshman who declined to use their name says they are disgusted by the number of deaths. “These numbers reflect how the detention and eventual deportation of individuals affect their mental health.
“I, myself, have had someone very close to me deported. This is a very devastating time.”
CBS News says that ICE’s detention population “…still stood around 60,000 last month, higher than under any prior administration.”
Iowa Bill to Require Police Cooperation Not Moving Forward
The Iowa House of Representatives chose not to move forward with House File 2041, which would have required all law enforcement agencies and officers in the state to “cooperate and work with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and any other federal immigration-related agencies when requested.”
Davenport City Council Alderwoman At-Large Jazmin Newton brought bill the city council’s attention after its January introduction. “I thought it was important for council to take a position given that if such bill is passed it would essentially strip out police of local control on matters that are civil…It is important for the State to understand where Davenport stands on the issues as such would have a direct impact on the city.
“The Davenport Police Department is committed to transparency, professionalism, and community focused policies. The core mission of the DPD is to protect and care for the well-being of the community.
“The police department has worked tirelessly over the years to gain the public’s trust and a bill such as HF2041 would undermine the great work our police department has done and continues to do.”
One anonymous SAU sophomore says they are proud Davenport “continues to stand up for immigrant communities and prioritizes policies that protect residents rather than criminalize them.
“I hope to see more focus on fairness and keeping families together instead of aggressive immigration enforcement.”
Issue Paper 26-05’s Unanimous Passing
The City of Davenport aldermen unanimously passed Issue Paper 26-05 in response to HF2041.
Newton says, “The issue paper is not a position on federal immigration and enforcement, but more-so a position on local control.
“Further, the state of Iowa already has laws regarding enforcement of immigration laws in Iowa Code 27A, and our department follows all applicable laws and will continue to do so.”
Another SAU senior who declined to use their name says they are glad the paper was passed. “Davenport has a better understanding of community than Iowa in general. I’m very thankful that Davenport opposes the bill.”
The previously interviewed freshman says they believe Davenport’s opposition to HF2041 is “necessary for the safety of Quad Cities citizens. Federal agents should and will remain separate from the members of enforcement meant of protect us.”
Davenport Citizens and City Council Next Steps
Newton says the City of Davenport “is focused on what is best for our community and ensuring our police department can fulfill its mission to protect our entire community.
“My hope is that the state focuses on the issues that matter most to the people, and respects local control of municipalities in the state of Iowa. Davenport supports the preservation of local control on all matters that impact our city.
“The continual focus of our police department will be to prevent crime, respond to emergencies, and investigate serious criminal offences.” The anonymous freshman hopes that the city of Davenport “…continues to protect its residents.
“ICE should be heavily controlled, and the current administration should be held accountable for the actions committed thus far.”
The senior “The Buzz” interviewed says they hope ICE stays out of Davenport. “Davenport may not be the cleanest, safest, best city in the world. However, it’s still a home to so many people, including me.
“I’m timid, I’m not a fighter, I don’t like violence, but I will never go down without a fight.”
Read Part 1: Campus Reactions to Minneapolis ICE Raids and the Death of Alex Pretti
