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Resident urges city to review FEMA port-security grant clauses on immigration cooperation

Charleston City Council ยท October 29, 2025
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Summary

A resident raised concerns Oct. 28 about clauses in a FEMA port-security grant agreement that require cooperation with Department of Homeland Security immigration enforcement, and asked the city to prepare a position if the current injunctions suspending those clauses are lifted.

During citizens' participation, Jordan Estrick told council he attended the Public Safety Committee meeting Oct. 21 where the FEMA port-security grant award for police and fire equipment was approved. He said several articles in the grant agreement require cooperation with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration officials, such as participating in joint operations and not publicizing immigration-enforcement activity, and that articles cited in the agreement are currently suspended under federal injunctions.

Estrick asked the city to review the agreement text and to develop a plan or position for what the city and its subrecipients (including the police department) would do if the injunctions are lifted and the cooperation clauses became active. "Articles 59 and 60 note that these requirements are currently suspended under federal injunction, but will come back active again if that injunction is lifted," he said, and urged the city to ensure a clear policy position.

Council did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting but the comment put the grant's immigration-cooperation clauses on the public record and requested further review by city staff.