During last night’s City Council Meeting on Monday, January 27, 2026, Mayor Raylon Leaks-May made the following statement:

"Over the last few weeks, and the last couple of days especially, my office has seen an increase in the number of residents seeking insights and assurance about the role of Ferndale Police in response to potential immigration enforcement activity. First, thank you to our passionate community members for expressing your concern. Please know that keeping the community safe and upholding the highest levels of professionalism and accountability are the top priorities of our public safety officials.

The Ferndale Police Department does not have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and does not participate in the federal government 287(g) Task Force Model Program. Further, the Ferndale City Council has no intention of entering into any agreement of that nature. Ferndale police officers do not enforce immigration law.

The Ferndale Police Department is committed to its mission: “Partnering with our diverse community to provide public safety with integrity, professionalism, and honor.” Our department ascribes to the guardian mindset, in accordance with the 21st-Century Policing Blueprint.

The City of Ferndale will always respect the rights of individual citizens to protest. Where it becomes necessary, the presence of police officers at protests is intended to protect your well-being and safety, and, most importantly, to prevent the escalation of needless violence.

No public safety agency is exempt from the responsibility to exercise due care and accountability. We will continue to value the civil liberties of all residents, and hold ourselves to the highest standards here in Ferndale. We expect the same to be held true by federal leadership.

Sincerely,

Raylon Leaks-May"