Residents Petition to Make Columbus a Sanctuary City, City Council Responds
Residents Petition to Make Columbus a Sanctuary City, City Council Responds
by Jennifer Bryant
In the wake of the presidential election, Donald Trump’s threat to deport millions of undocumented immigrants has caused mixed reactions across the country. Some support this pledge; others see it as an extreme measure fueled by fear and xenophobia. Trump has vowed that, with or without Congressional support, he will withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities. Currently, 39 cities across the US, including Minneapolis and Chicago, are designated sanctuary cities, meaning that they will not seek to deport law-abiding illegal immigrants. Sanctuary cities also have laws in place to protect those accused of nonviolent offenses, such as traffic violations, from being reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to the ACLU, there are approximately 95,000 undocumented immigrants that call Columbus home. However, when it comes to laws and regulations that protect this group, a 2015 UCLA report ranked Columbus last out of all 50 states. A lack of official protection for undocumented immigrants can leave this already vulnerable population, many of whom are fleeing harsh circumstances, with few options and no safe haven.
A recent change.org petition started by Columbus resident Philip Storer is asking the mayor and City Council to make Columbus an official sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants: “family members, coworkers, friends, and students of Americans just like you and me.” The petition states in part, “If the people of Columbus stand firmly in support of our friends and neighbors—including the undocumented ones— then we will show that the courage of our convictions is not something to be ignored, that love truly does trump hate, and we may be an example for those elsewhere whose city government may, like ours, be one of the last things standing between Trump and a policy of mass deportation in the USA.” The petition has nearly 3,000 supporters as of this time.
On November 21, City Council member Michael Stinziano responded to the petition, writing, “My office, along with other Councilmembers and the Mayor’s office, is dedicated to protecting the rights of every Columbus resident. Campaign promises to deport our friends and families will not be legitimized as policy in our City. The City of Columbus does not administer municipal funds and resources to seek out or deport law abiding residents. Elections may change administrations, but they do not change our shared American values of freedom and equality. To the New Americans in our City, I pledge that you are welcome in Columbus, and more importantly you are safe in Columbus.”
In a phone interview last week, Stinziano stated, “We have continued to recognize concerns after the election.” According to Stinziano, the city council is analyzing their current policies to determine which actions align with the best practices of a sanctuary city and which do not. Talks are ongoing with the police chief, public safety department, and administration about additional steps to protect and assist the immigrants who live in our city. The topic will also be discussed at city council meetings, where officials will evaluate what they are currently doing to support these goals and what can be done better. Throughout the process, the policies and best practices that emerge will be crafted with the rights and dignity of all Columbus residents in mind, including undocumented immigrants.
Above all, says Stinziano, “The council and administration remain committed to championing diversity.”
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