by The Inquiry

Ann Arbor, MI — In a rare and bold move, Washtenaw County Michigan has officially refused to comply with a subpoena from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), issued through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The subpoena targeted county-held data as part of an I-9 employment eligibility audit, sparking alarm about potential misuse of sensitive local records.

During a public Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 7, District 9 Commissioner Katie Scott announced the rejection. “Communication had been sent yesterday to Homeland Security declining to comply with their administrative subpoena,” Scott said. Her comments came ahead of a closed-door meeting with the county’s newly retained outside legal team.

The subpoena raised red flags when the agency requested information beyond the employment verification scope — specifically, data tied to the Washtenaw County ID program, which undocumented residents use to access essential support. Advocacy groups warned that sharing this data could turn a trusted local program into a tool for deportation.

In response, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners retained outside legal counsel and moved swiftly to assert their authority. The board emphasized that while compliance with the I-9 audit was legally unavoidable, defending the privacy of community members was equally non-negotiable.

ICE Actions Prompt Decision

This decision follows a groundswell of public concern. Over the past several weeks, immigrant rights organizations, residents, and legal experts urged the board to resist any attempt to weaponize local information. During public comment sessions, multiple speakers expressed fear that surrendering data could lead to immigration raids, detentions, and long-term trauma within the community.

That concern is not unfounded. Across the U.S., partnerships between local governments and federal agencies have led to family separations, workplace raids, and increased fear among immigrant communities. In rejecting the subpoena, Washtenaw County Michigan is sending a message: it will not willingly aid federal overreach.

Let’s be clear — this is what integrity as a public official looks like. In a time when many local governments cave to federal pressure, Washtenaw County drew a line. No press conferences. No drama. Just a firm “No.”

And in 2025, saying “no” is an act of political clarity.

Yes, the legal gray areas are real. The federal government still holds power over employment verification. But Washtenaw’s stance shows there’s a difference between legal obligation and moral compromise. The county didn’t fight the I-9 process — it fought the overreach.

Refusing to become a cog in an immigration enforcement machine is rare, but necessary. And in this case, Washtenaw County didn’t just avoid complicity — it protected a lifeline. The Washtenaw County ID program isn’t just paperwork. It’s survival. It’s how vulnerable residents access food banks, housing assistance, medical care, and community resources. Turning that into a data mine for the government would be a betrayal.

Instead, the county chose resistance. It chose its people.

Now, as outside legal counsel prepares to defend this position, one thing is clear: Washtenaw County Michigan won’t hand over its residents without a fight. Not to the feds, not to fear, and not to political convenience.

Eyes open. Roars loud.

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