Oakley Village Signs ICE Enforcement Deal Despite Resident Backlash

A small Saginaw County village with fewer than 300 residents has become the latest Michigan jurisdiction to partner with federal immigration authorities, sparking outrage among locals who say the police chief made the decision without consulting village council.

Oakley Police Chief Marc Ferguson signed a cooperation agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 24, allowing the department to participate in the 287(g) Program. The agreement, known as the Task Force Model, enables law enforcement officers to receive federal training and exercise limited immigration enforcement authority under ICE oversight.

Protesters gathered during the Oakley Village Council meeting on April 14 to call for an end to the partnership. Dozens of community members voiced their opposition during the public comment portion of the meeting.

"What are we going to benefit out of this other than more liability and burden to the taxpayers?" asked Oakley resident Kristi Wicke.

The agreement authorizes the Oakley Police Department to serve immigration warrants and detain individuals without legal status. ICE will train officers nominated to assist with immigration enforcement, and anyone arrested by the department will be transported to ICE detention facilities. The two agencies will share data as part of the partnership.

Angel Gomez, the Latino Caucus Chair of the Saginaw County Democratic Party, expressed concerns about racial profiling and legal liability for the village. Gomez urged officials to step away from immigration enforcement to protect the integrity and safety of the community.

"It baffles me that nobody really knew he was gonna sign up," said Oakley resident Brett Wicke, whose wife Kristi spoke at the meeting. "We already have a high-risk insurance, and now we're adding on top of this. I just see nothing but bad."

Village Council President Richard Fish said he was aware Chief Ferguson had been discussing partnering with ICE but was not aware the deal had been signed. Fish stated he still supports the agreement despite the backlash.

"Cooperation, that's all it is," Fish said.

The council did not take any action related to the agreement during its Tuesday night meeting, but Fish said he hopes the council will vote on the matter during its next meeting, set for May 12 at Oakley Village Hall.

The Oakley Police Department is one of the latest Michigan law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE, joining the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, West Branch Police Department, and several other agencies across the state.

Oakley, with a population of about 290, is the smallest jurisdiction in Michigan to have such an agreement. Eight jurisdictions statewide — five counties and three municipalities — now have 287(g) agreements.

The village found itself in the spotlight several years ago when it was revealed that its police department's former chief, Robert Reznick, was overseeing a reserve force of about 150 reservists, including many who did not live in Oakley. Reznick was later sentenced to prison following an investigation related to financials.

Chief Ferguson's background has also drawn scrutiny. He was fired in 2012 from his job as a police officer in Oakland County after lying under oath in a drug case. Some Oakley residents are circulating a petition to disband the police department.

"When a guy who cannot go out of the village limits as a police officer, once he steps out of the village limits, he's nothing better than a crossing guard," said resident Mike Belanger.

ICE responded when contacted, stating that partnerships with law enforcement are critical to having the resources needed to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the country.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has criticized 287(g) agreements, emphasizing the liability that local law enforcement agencies take on by cooperating with ICE in case federal agents do not follow proper procedures.

The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center has also condemned the agreement. Christine Sauvé, the policy, engagement and communications manager for the organization, wrote that it is unwise and unfair for a town of fewer than 300 people to commit its limited local resources to an agreement with ICE that brings costly legal liability and reduces public safety.

Oakley joins West Branch Police and the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department, along with five other state agencies, in partnering with ICE.

Sources

• https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2026/04/saginaw-county-village-officials-face-backlash-over-ice-enforcement-deal.html
• https://www.abc12.com/news/oakleys-police-department-latest-mid-michigan-agency-to-sign-agreement-with-ice/article_17383329-dbd2-46a3-8f5d-0037704dd470.html
• https://www.mininggazette.com/news/michigan-news-apwire/2026/03/saginaw-county-village-signs-cooperation-agreement-with-ice/