Dexter Township, ICE and LGBTQ+

Communicating the values of the township, the Dexter Township Board approved two resolutions at its June 16 meeting that deal with ICE and LGBTQ+.

The township board had before it two resolutions at its June meeting, that are different in many ways, but also have some important connections. The Sun Time News (STN) followed up with the township supervisor and the two township trustees who introduced them to ask about the resolutions and give their perspectives on the intent and reasons for bringing them forward.

“As Township Supervisor, I believe it’s important that Dexter Township remains a welcoming community where all residents feel valued, respected, and able to participate fully in civic life,” township supervisor Lonnie Scott said. “While local governments may not control every issue addressed in these resolutions, we do have a responsibility to communicate the values we want our community to reflect. Creating an environment where people feel safe, welcome and included benefits everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

The Resolutions

The ICE resolution is described this way: “A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE USE OF TOWNSHIP BUILDINGS AND FACE COVERINGS BY IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) OFFICERS, CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICERS, OR THEIR CONTRACTORS DURING CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN DEXTER TOWNSHIP.”

Township trustee Laura Sanders, who sponsored the ICE resolution, told STN, “Dexter Township does not just give lip service to being a welcoming community to all, which is why we passed the two resolutions having to do with inclusion, respect and humane treatment of all of our residents including immigrants and folks on the LGBTQ spectrum.”  

Sanders said the ICE resolution passed at the meeting “clearly opposes the use of township buildings and property, and face coverings by ICE and CBP officers and contractors during civil immigration enforcement in Dexter Township.”

In an earlier resolution, Sanders said Dexter Township “affirmed its role as a welcoming community and has adopted policies intended to ensure that Township resources are not used to facilitate civil immigration enforcement in ways that harm community trust or public safety.”   

“Across the country, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have repeatedly engaged in a pattern of discriminatory enforcement actions and detentions that constitute profiling based on perceived racial or ethnic identity,” Sanders said. “They have violated peoples’ constitutional rights to humane treatment and due process.  These are practices that are inconsistent with the earlier resolution declaring Dexter Township a welcoming township and calling for action to protect rights -25-698. This new resolution confirms our commitment to a safe and inclusive community.”  

The LGBTQ+ resolution is described this way: “A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE TOWNSHIP’S COMMITMENT TO EQUAL TREATMENT, NON-DISCRIMINATION, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION.”

Township trustee Karen Nolte told STN, “As one of the sponsors of the LGBTQ+ resolution: I feel it is important to signal our intent for inclusion while fostering a sense of belonging.” 

“I want Dexter Township to create an environment where residents are recognized and respected, where all are welcome to engage, attend public meetings, volunteer and participate in our local decision-making process,” Nolte said. “There is pride in participating in these community events. In my personal opinion, recent governmental pushbacks and attacks to the LGBTQ+ community demand us to open our arms, welcome all and help support: acceptance and inclusion while working to build a strong community. Thank you to the Board of Trustees for passing this resolution and Happy Pride Month to all.”

To read both resolutions in their entirety, go to https://www.dextertownshipmi.gov/township-board/ and look up the June 16, 2026 meeting packet.