The Core Idea

Decorah is a community that values fairness, safety, and welcoming our neighbors. Currently, there is a gap in our local laws that leaves our immigrant neighbors vulnerable and our community less secure. We are proposing a Separation Ordinance to fix this. 

Here is the breakdown of why this matters and what it actually changes.

1. Closing the "Hand-off" Loophole

The Problem: The City of Decorah doesn’t have its own jail. When Decorah Police arrest someone, they are taken to the Winneshiek County Jail. Currently, there is no written agreement protecting City arrestees from being funneled into the federal immigration system once they step inside that jail.

The Fix: This ordinance ensures that City arrests reflect City values. It states that when our local police detain someone, that person shouldn't be subjected to federal immigration interrogations or "surprise" hand-offs to ICE just because they crossed the threshold of the county jail.

2. Police are for Public Safety, Not Immigration Enforcement

The Problem: When local police act as de-facto immigration agents, it destroys trust and drains City resources. If a victim of domestic violence or a witness to a crime is afraid that calling 911 will lead to deportation, they stay silent. That makes the whole city dangerous for everyone.

The Fix: The ordinance draws a bright line. It ensures our local officers are focused on local laws. It prevents the collection of unnecessary data—like country of origin—when it has nothing to do with the issue or alleged crime at hand.

3. Knowledge is Power (and Constitutional)

The Problem: Many people, especially those for whom English is a second language, do not know they have the right to remain silent when asked about their citizenship status.

The Fix: We want to ensure that "Know Your Rights" information is available and visible to everyone arrested. It’s about basic due process: ensuring people know they don't have to answer questions that could hurt them legally.

4. Stopping "Voluntary" Mistakes

The Problem: Sometimes, federal agents (ICE) ask to speak to a detainee. Without clear rules, a frightened person might think they have to say yes, inadvertently waiving their rights.

The Fix: The ordinance requires that any interview with ICE be genuinely voluntary. It ensures that before a detainee speaks to federal agents, they sign a form (in a language they understand) confirming they actually want to have that conversation.

5. Transparency and Oversight

The Problem: Right now, there is very little public visibility into how often local arrests turn into immigration detentions.

The Fix: We are asking for regular checks. The ordinance would allow City officials to review booking procedures to ensure everyone is being treated fairly and that our local resources aren't being secretly used by ICE or federal agents.

The Bottom Line