During a county board meeting Monday, Commissioner Joe Stevens said concerns raised by citizens on dealing with the “what-ifs” of migrant housing are under discussion.

A non-sanctuary resolution typically declares that a county won’t provide shelters or services, other than emergency services, to uninvited migrants. At the same time, such a resolution wouldn’t prevent local non-profits from giving aid.

At a March 11 county meeting — after a rumor of hundreds of undocumented migrants being housed at an Iron Mountain motel were quashed — Breitung Township resident Sharon Reuter asked the board to declare Dickinson “a non-sanctuary county for illegal immigrants.”

Whether migrants might ever be cast upon Dickinson County for care is up for debate, but U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, has cited “an unprecendented surge” of apprehensions at the northern border. Last month, according to the congressman, 19 illegal immigrants were processed by the Sault Ste. Marie border patrol after being pulled over in Grand Traverse County.

SCOTT RUTTER

In the first four months of fiscal year 2024, the border patrol has apprehended 4,772 subjects along the northern border, a 114% increase from the same period a year ago, Bergman said in a press release Tuesday.

Bergman and 21 other members of Congress have asked U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to address the issue, saying every state has become a border state.

In a letter sent Monday, they asked how DHS plans to address the strains experienced by local communities and border patrol agents along the northern border due to a surge in illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

In other action Monday, the county board:

— Heard Sheriff Scott Rutter discuss challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing mental health needs, particularly for people needing inpatient care. A lack of treatment centers isn’t a problem that can be fixed by a local agency, he said, though he praised the cooperation of Northpointe Behavioral Health in seeking out beds. Further, he said, transporting a patient hundreds of miles in the back of squad car “isn’t right” but that is often what Michigan law requires.

— Heard Tina Pirlot of Norway say “irreversible damage” has been done to Northpointe as a result of an effort by commissioners Barbara Kramer and Ann Martin to potentially remove its leadership. Pirlot, whose husband Kevin was reappointed to the Northpointe Board in a 3-2 vote, said she’s hopeful the agency and county can move forward in a positive manner.

— Recognized April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day to honor therapy dogs and other animals who partner with their handlers to enhance the health and well-being of humans.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.