Asheville leaders denounce ICE raids and reassure immigrant communities

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer issued a public statement on Jan. 12 criticizing recent nationwide Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, saying they undercut public safety and community trust. Her statement came amid public outrage after the death of Renee Nicole Good during an ICE action in Minneapolis and followed a joint letter from Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Commissioners reaffirming local commitments.

City and county leaders emphasized that local government and police do not act as an arm of ICE and do not ask about immigration status as part of policing duties. The joint letter sought to reassure residents that routine interactions with local law enforcement – reporting a burglary, seeking emergency help, or accessing municipal services – would not be used to trigger federal immigration enforcement. Manheimer also criticized what she called "reckless, fear-driven" federal enforcement that deters residents from reporting crimes or seeking help.

The statements are part of a wider local response to federal operations that many community advocates say have sown fear in immigrant neighborhoods and frayed relations with law enforcement. City officials framed their response as an attempt to preserve community cooperation with public safety efforts, noting that when residents fear deportation, crimes go unreported and investigations grow more difficult for local police.

Local leaders called for greater collaboration between federal and local officials to balance enforcement with public safety needs. Asheville's message echoed earlier remarks from community organizations and faith groups that urged compassion and clarity from authorities following the Minneapolis incident. While the city cannot prevent federal agencies from carrying out operations on their own jurisdictional authorities, council members and commissioners stressed that local policy would not be aligned with federal enforcement actions that undermine trust.

For Buncombe County residents, the immediate impact is both practical and psychological. Immigrant households and mixed-status families reported heightened anxiety about routine activities such as school drop-offs, medical appointments, and neighborhood interactions. Neighborhood liaisons and community advocates urged residents to stay informed about local policies and to attend upcoming council and county meetings where immigration-related concerns will be discussed.

The broader political context is one of tension between federal immigration priorities and municipal efforts to maintain public safety through community trust. Asheville's leadership framed its stance as protecting the city's social fabric and ensuring that neighbors continue to look out for one another without fear of federal intervention.

Our two cents? If you have concerns, check the city and county meeting schedules, ask local officials how policies apply in practice, and lean on community groups for support — keeping lines of communication open helps keep neighborhoods safer.