CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Immigrant advocates turned out in high numbers in front of a city commission unaccustomed to heated controversy, to oppose tall new fencing around the ICE office in Cedar Rapids.
More than 30 people crowded in during the Feb. 26, 2026, Historic Preservation Commission meeting at the City Services Center, 500 15th Ave. SW, with more standing outside of the small room.
Nearly 20 people spoke, including pastors and supporters who accompany immigrants to their check-ins with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security office, 3351 Square D Dr. SW.
The Rev. Jonathan Heifner, lead pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, speaks during the Historic Preservation Commission meeting to oppose a proposed fence at the Cedar Rapids ICE office. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The commission typically considers what type of windows to allow in homes in the city’s historic districts or other building-oriented issues, but also are asked to comment on undertakings as part of the Section 106 process, which requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their projects on historic properties.
In this case, ICE officials propose to install 7- and 10-foot fencing around the office, which opponents say is meant to hide detentions and family separations from view and to undermine First Amendment and religious-freedom activities.
The site is where advocates show their support for immigrants going to check-ins with ICE, which would be hidden behind the tall fencing and privacy screening if the fence is allowed to be installed.
“You are changing what’s fundamentally there,” community advocate Sophia Joseph said to the commissioners. “You do have a voice. You do have a say.”
Sophia Joseph addresses the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission during their meeting on Feb. 26, 2026. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Annya Mari, who has advocated for immigrants for 20 years, noted that people are forced to wait outside — even in below-freezing temperatures — for 45 minutes to an hour for their ICE check-ins, even though a waiting room inside could hold more than a dozen people. Advocates provide support for those families, which includes small children and babies, she said.
Others pointed to the proposed fence obstructing the view of the office building where ICE leases space — a 1970’s low mid-century modern brick structure with low-hanging eaves.
“ICE is asserting no historic properties are affected,” said Alyssa Kupka, speaking on behalf of her mother, Lora Lea Edwards. “I am here to tell you that is not true.”
Edwards’ husband, the late Charles Edwards, hired acclaimed Cedar Rapids architect Leo Peiffer to build the office for his commercial color printing company, Pepco, which had sales offices in New York City and elsewhere.
“Because he wanted to maintain those high-end standards and the brand recognition that goes with it, he built a uniquely designed modern building that was made with the finest materials,” Kupka said. “It was very practical for his purchase of the finest printing press made in the world and the first in the Midwest: a Heidelberg 6-color sheet-fed press.”
Alyssa Kupka reads a statement from her mother, Lora Lea Edwards, standing at right, during the Historic Preservation Commission meeting. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
In their letter to the city, ICE officials claimed the building would be ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places, but some of the commissioners disagreed.
Commission member Rachel Potthoff noted that the building had never been surveyed and could qualify under at least two criteria used to determine whether or not a building might be eligible for listing on the register.
Jacob Cournoyer said the building appears to be a prime example of mid-century modern architecture, designed by an architect whose work has been disappearing in Cedar Rapids.
“I think we can all agree that a fence will ruin the historic integrity of this building,” Cournoyer said. “This denies community access to that historic asset.”
Attendees at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting hold signs opposing the installation of a fence at the ICE office in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Commission chairwoman Diana Pagan asked if the fence could be shorter in height and of a different material other than chain-link.
While most of the seven commission members present agreed with Potthoff and Cournoyer, Jeffrey Meyers sided with ICE.
“I don’t have a problem with the fence itself,” Meyers said, and when asked for a motion, he moved to have all of the commission comments taken into consideration, rather than those comments opposed to the fence.
The motion passed unanimously, with some in the crowd voicing their disappointment, but others claiming a partial victory. The comments will not go through the City Council, but will be passed along to the federal officials in charge of the project.
Read more: Details revealed for ICE fence in Cedar Rapids
No Comments Yet