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The Newburgh City Council is set to reaffirm its status as a "fair and welcoming city," a resolution initially adopted in 2017. Councilwomen Giselle Martinez and Ramona Monteverde have drafted a proposal to strengthen the city's stance by including specific protections against cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Monteverde emphasized the importance of this proposal, stating that immigration officers' actions have instilled fear in the community. She expressed hope that the reaffirmation would help protect residents from what she described as "lawless thugs." The proposal comes in response to incidents, including two ICE-related civilian deaths in Minneapolis and reports of masked agents detaining individuals in Newburgh based on physical characteristics.
The original resolution from 2017 declared Newburgh a "fair and welcoming city," effectively making it a sanctuary city. It was designed to protect undocumented residents by ensuring local law enforcement would not cooperate with ICE, except in criminal immigration deportation cases. The city's police department also agreed not to inquire unnecessarily about documentation status, allowing undocumented residents to report crimes without fear.
Councilwoman Karen Mejia, who was instrumental in the original resolution, highlighted that the policy differentiates between criminal and civic immigration deportations. This approach aims to alleviate fear among families and ensure community safety. A resident, Lizette, supported the resolution, saying it encourages undocumented residents to report crimes without fear of deportation.
The reaffirmation of Newburgh's fair and welcoming status aims to provide written assurance to undocumented residents that they are protected locally. The city council's actions reflect ongoing efforts to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all residents.