Flagstaff’s ICE Office Sparks Community Action and Mixed Reactions

Flagstaff is experiencing a wave of grassroots activism as concerned residents respond to the establishment of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in their city. Volunteers from Keep Flagstaff Together have mobilized to inform the local community about the changes and what it could mean for them.

On April 8, in a parking lot, volunteers prepared to distribute packets of information in the Sunnyslope neighborhood. One volunteer, speaking in Spanish, explained, “We have a packet of information in case of ICE.” Although only one volunteer spoke fluent Spanish, the group was undeterred, dividing the tasks and neighborhoods to ensure coverage.

The information packets included guidance for families on preparing action plans should ICE detain someone, as well as contact details for local immigration attorneys and the Flagstaff Police Department’s immigration enforcement policies.

The city of Flagstaff, in conjunction with its Police Department, confirmed on April 9 that ICE had leased office space at 1585 S. Plaza Way. This location will house the Enforcement and Removal Operations division, joining several other federal offices in the vicinity.

ICE’s presence in Arizona is not unprecedented, with Phoenix and Tucson already hosting operations. However, the reception in Flagstaff has been mixed, with some community members protesting and others welcoming the development.

Maria Castillo Rincon, a long-time advocate for immigrants and a member of Keep Flagstaff Together, expressed frustration over the city council’s inadequate response to immigration enforcement. “I don’t believe any of you,” Rincon said, referring to city officials. “Because you all have used the same excuse of not poking this bear, and look at this bear coming in.”

Despite fears within the community, some residents, like Neila Cretti, support the ICE office, believing it will bolster law enforcement capabilities in the area. “I have watched our Police Department being eroded, in the sense of we are so underfunded, undermanned here,” Cretti noted.

Local law enforcement agencies have stated they are not collaborating with ICE, and the city has reassured residents that no request has been made to use city property for ICE-related activities.

Dermont Stevenson

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Cronkite News

While some community members are worried about the implications of the ICE office, others, such as long-time resident Neila Cretti, see it as a potential aid in addressing local crime issues.

Meanwhile, Laura Carter, chair of the Coconino County Democrats, argued that the presence of ICE might deter visitors and harm the community’s welcoming image. “We don’t have a problem with illegal immigration creating havoc and crime in our city,” Carter stated, emphasizing the capability of local law enforcement to manage community safety.

Concerns about the impact on Northern Arizona University (NAU) and its students have also been raised, with NAU being a Hispanic Serving Institution. Students fear the ICE office could adversely affect enrollment and the atmosphere on campus.

As the community grapples with these changes, Keep Flagstaff Together continues its outreach, emphasizing preparedness and support for immigrant families. Jermaine Barkley, a volunteer, assured residents, “We’re just walking around the neighborhood handing out information in case you encounter ICE.”

This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.