Ogden officials drop moves to craft proposal meant to quell concerns over immigration crackdown

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Ogden officials pursuing a resolution meant as a show of support for the immigrant community have dropped the effort.
Worries prompted by the immigration crackdown spurred the talk, but proponents say the proposal would have conflicted with state law.
The resolution would have affirmed that the city wouldn't take an active role in detaining immigrants except where required.

OGDEN — Two Ogden City Council members who had pursued a resolution meant as a show of support for the city's immigrant community have dropped the effort, worried it may conflict with state law.

Council members Alicia Washington and Kevin Lundell had been discussing the proposal since January in light of worries among some about the crackdown on illegal immigration pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump. It had been touted as a means of assuaging concerns that the city would take an active role in federal efforts to detain and deport immigrants in the country illegally.

Lundell posted a message on social media on Wednesday explaining the decision, also discussed at an Ogden City Council work session on Tuesday.

"Admittedly it was a little bit disappointing for us as we've done a lot of work to get to that point, and we had heard from our constituents," Lundell said. "We had heard you say you want us to do something."

After launching efforts to craft a proposal, though, he learned that a similar initiative approved by Helena, Montana, officials was targeted by the governor and attorney general in that state due to legal questions. Ogden legal officials, likewise, warned that a resolution would run afoul of a state law prohibiting local governments from taking action that could limit the ability of local law enforcement to work with federal officials in enforcing U.S. immigration law.

At Tuesday's meeting, Washington further noted Mayor Ben Nadolski's opposition to moving forward with a resolution. In a message to KSL.com last month, Nadolski dubbed the possible action a "symbolic measure" and warned a resolution could put access to federal funding at risk, among other things.

In light of the concerns of some in the immigrant community, Nadolski and Ogden Police Chief Jake Sube say they don't plan to enter into a cooperative accord with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Several Utah sheriff's offices, including the Weber County Sheriff's Office, have inked such agreements.

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