Residents voiced concerns over Monroe’s ICE compliance stance as anti-immigration protests are planned across the Charlotte area.
MONROE, N.C. โ The Monroe City Council faced a divided community Tuesday as residents debated the city’s stance on Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, with some supporting compliance while others raised concerns about public safety priorities.
The contentious discussion comes as anti-ICE protests are planned throughout the region, including demonstrations scheduled for Saturday in the Charlotte area.
Community members packed the council chambers to voice opposing views on immigration enforcement, highlighting deep divisions within the city over how to respond to federal immigration policies.
“People are afraid and it’s not just because of a Facebook post,” Matthews resident Rahm Sandival said.
The debate centers on a position statement passed by the Monroe City Council last month, which Mayor Robert Burns promoted on social media. Burns stated that Monroe is “not a sanctuary city and our officers comply with ICE and federal immigration laws.”
The mayor’s social media post sparked controversy within the community, leading to Tuesday’s public discussion about the city’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Some residents voiced support for the council’s position during the meeting.
“I would ask council to uphold the position statement that was made,” one attendee said during public comments.
However, others questioned whether the statement adequately addresses community safety concerns.
Sandival criticized City Council’s approach, saying the position statement was “misleading from the start.”
“The title suggests a focus on immigration, but the content only addresses violent crime in general,” he said.
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement policies at the local level. Communities across North Carolina and the nation are grappling with how to balance federal immigration compliance with local public safety concerns.
City officials have emphasized their commitment to public safety for all residents while maintaining compliance with federal immigration laws. The council has not announced whether it will consider revising the position statement based on community feedback.
The next Monroe City Council meeting is scheduled for later this month, where immigration enforcement policies may again be discussed.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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