SAGINAW, MI – Should the City Council take a public stand against President Trump’s immigration crackdown?
None of the members are supporters of the 47th president, who is acting with more boldness than when he was 45th, but they are split on the question entering their Feb. 24 meeting.
Councilwoman Carly Rose Hammond says yes, with her push to designate Saginaw as a “welcoming city” to those at risk of being deported. Mayor Brenda Moore and Pro Tem Priscilla Garcia, along with Councilwoman Jacinta Seals, responded with concerns that any public action could prove counterproductive by drawing the attention of federal enforcement agents.
On the meeting’s YouTube link, the 10-minute discussion begins at the 1:08 mark.
“If it is not broke, why try to fix it?” Moore asked. Garcia repeated the adage minutes later, noting that a relative in Grand Rapids had their papers questioned in spite of being a fifth-generation U.S. citizen.
A “welcoming city” is a more mainstream compromise with “sanctuary,” in which local authorities stridently resist any Fed intervention. Still, Hammond asserted a need to “stand up” against the crackdown, because events of the past month show that Trump has been more aggressive than even some of his supporters may have expected. Another of his moves wreaked havoc with the Housing Commission’s Section 8 rent subsidies, she noted.
Moore said, “I’m not a chicken and I ain’t scared,” but that she sees no need to potentially risk Saginaw’s shares of federal funds
Councilwoman Heidi Wiggins joined her peers in awaiting a report from Manager Tim Morales and Police Chief Bob Ruth, but she rejected the notion of not acting because of concerns with being noticed. She cited the 1800s in general and the 1960s more specifically as times when oppressed people took risks for the sake of civil rights.
The City Council’s vision statement from the Jan. 31 annual planning session, reads: “Saginaw, through collaboration and public/private ventures, will be a welcoming community that promotes neighborhood growth; stimulates business development and innovation; and fosters entertainment.”
Moore and Garcia asserted that this could mean the issue already is covered, a notion that Hammond rejects because the intent clearly was not worded with immigration in mind.
In Bay City, Commissioner Chris Rudberg says he will introduce a welcoming community resolution on March 3. Rudberg is taking a different tack than Hammond, with emphasis on not using local taxpayer money for police to assist the feds, describing it as an “unfunded mandate.”
Contrast in strategy
Here are common descriptions of sanctuary cities and welcoming cities:
A sanctuary city limits cooperation with immigration authorities, while a welcoming city creates a supportive environment for immigrants and all residents.
Sanctuary cities:
- Protect undocumented immigrants and refugees from deportation
- Law enforcement cannot question crime suspects about their immigration status
- Some say sanctuary cities reduce fears of deportation and crime rates
- Some say sanctuary cities undermine the rule of law and public safety
Welcoming cities:
- Provide access to city services
- Protect residents of all ages at school and work
- Prioritize the inclusion of immigrants in their communities
- Recognize the contributions immigrants make to the community
- Create a welcoming and supportive environment for immigrants
