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A packed St. Charles City Council meeting Monday night included a lengthy public forum about local ICE activity as residents, advocates, and local business owners shared concerns about recent federal immigration enforcement activity in and around town.
While no action was taken, many comments urged officials to consider whether St. Charles should limit the use of city property in those operations.
Here’s what to know:
City officials did not vote on any new policy. Mayor Clint Hull framed it as a listening session and said the council and staff are reviewing information and talking with other communities before determining next steps.
A long line of residents spoke during public comment, many urging St. Charles to adopt a policy that would prevent federal immigration agents from using city and school property as operational staging areas.
Some speakers referenced having observed individuals being taken into custody by agents, and one speaker said that if St. Charles restricts enforcement activity, “civilians will take it into their own hands because we've had enough.”
Several local business owners and educators shared concerns about how fear tied to enforcement activity is affecting customers, workers, and student attendance in the Tri-Cities.
For now, there’s no formal proposal on the table — but based on Monday’s turnout and testimony, many locals have strong feelings on the subject.
Watch the full City Council meeting recording and read more in this Shaw Local article.
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