MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Officials with the City of Morgantown have spoken out in response to actions taken on a state and federal level to address illegal immigration amidst protests within the city.

Select members of the Morgantown City Council spoke in opposition of operations conducted by the United States Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during their meeting Tuesday night while also vocally supporting the right to protest such operations within city limits. This comes less than twelve hours after six people were arrested during protests on Tuesday related to trespassing charges and less than a week after a joint statement was made by Morgantown Mayor Danielle Trumble and Deputy Mayor Brian Butcher in response to ICE operations around the area. A statement that was reportedly met with a fair level of negative feedback by select community members.

“I’m certainly in favor of everyone expressing their constitutional right to free speech and peaceful protest,” said Trumble. “Deputy Mayor (Butcher) and I felt compelled to put out the statement, and things have not been pleasant since.”

Second Ward Councilor Jodi Hollingshead also vocally opposed ICE operations during her end-of-meeting report on Tuesday.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed an MOU with he federal government last fall that includes the state’s cooperation with ICE. State Police Superintendent Col. Jim Mitchell reported to lawmakers earlier this week that state police have helped ICE make 250 arrests in West Virginia in recent months.

The prompting of statements from the members of council during the meeting was both in response to the arrests that occurred on Tuesday and what was considered by Trumble to be a very negative response from the public. The following statement was released by Trumble and Butcher in response to the operations:

“Together, let’s reaffirm our commitment to unity, inclusivity, and the welcoming of a diverse community even whilst we face our darkest days in this nation. The only way to navigate these challenging times is by uplifting one another and cultivating a sense of belonging for all. This is the Morgantown, state, and country that we long to see and work toward each and every day.

As always, we are committed to ensuring that everything we do represents the aspirations of a just society in which equal opportunity and safety are afforded to everyone. We will continue to work with our local officials and leaders to fairly and compassionately represent the people of Morgantown and question anything to the contrary.”

Despite the negative reception of the statement, particularly regarding a lack of a formal plan of response for any ICE operations within city limits, both Butcher and Trumble openly stated that state statutes essentially make any legal action impossible. Efforts that could be amplified pending the 2026 legislative session.

“We’ve talked about creative ideas about what we can do to try to protect people at this time, to be frank, it is slim,” said Butcher. “That is largely a function of state code, and if you look at the bills that are going in the state legislature right now, it’s going to be more slim.”

Members of the public who spoke during the meeting expressed a combination of frustrations towards the council and concerns regarding ICE operations that have taken place within the Mountain State. While criticism against members of the council was minimal during the meeting, residents who chose to speak expressed open hostility towards the ICE operations that have been conducted within West Virginia, pointing out the most recent arrest taking place in Harrison County. A sentiment that appears to be expected from the members of the council.

“We do not want immigration and customs enforcement operatives in our city, and we ask that every public servant, from council to clerk to police, make our city as inhospitable to these ICE agents as possible,” said resident Paige Rearing.

Despite the lack of autonomy related to any potential ICE operations to take place within the city, both Trumble and Butcher expressed a desire to continue to voice any opposition possible to the federal actions. This includes ongoing conversations by Trumble with the National League of Cities to discuss options, as well as an open push by Butcher to make calls to legislators in Charleston to urge for such operations to cease in any form or fashion. While actions are limited, city officials also emphasized that many intend to remain vocal and active in finding ways to prevent such operations from taking place within the City of Morgantown.

“The state has made it incredibly difficult, but that does not mean we have to be complacent,” said Trumble. “Voting members of the NLC that come from red states, blue states, local elected officials who were there recognize the need (to call for an adjustment in federal policy).”