City of Grand Rapids Policies Regarding Immigration Status and Equal Access to Services

Immigration Status and City Services

The City of Grand Rapids is committed to providing equitable access to City services for all residents, consistent with applicable law, City policies, and ordinances. The City of Grand Rapids including, but not limited to, the Grand Rapids Police Department operate under policies and ordinances that address interactions with individuals regardless of immigration status or national origin, including the Foreign Nationals Policy, Impartial Policing Policy, City Commission Policy 600-17 (Equal Services Regardless of Immigration Status and/or National Origin), and the City’s Human Rights Ordinance.

The City does not perform immigration-related functions. Specifically:

• The City does not operate a detention facility or jail. Kent County operates the county jail.
• The City does not have a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• The City does not enforce immigration detainers.
• GRPD is prohibited from conducting investigations or making arrests based solely on a person’s immigration status.
• GRPD’s Foreign Nationals Policy prohibits collaboration with ICE on investigations.

These responsibilities and limitations do not affect the City’s obligation to comply with applicable federal, state, and local law. The City remains committed to providing services to all residents fairly, consistently, and with dignity and respect.