Local News
As President-elect Donald Trump's second term approaches — along along with his guarantees of mass deportation — the Somerville City Council is reaffirming town's status as a city “friendly community” for immigrants.
“The national political climate remains increasingly hostile toward immigrants and refugees,” a resolution approved Tuesday notes. Trump's return to the White House “also poses increased risks to immigrant communities across the country, including in Somerville,” the document said.
Tuesday's resolution included some minor changes from a version discussed at a City Council meeting earlier this month that called on city leaders to reaffirm Somerville's decades-old status as a city “City of the Sanctuary”. Somerville had already re-established itself as a sanctuary city after Trump's election in 2016.
The recent resolution commits to “protecting the safety, dignity and rights of immigrants, migrants, asylum seekers, asylum seekers and refugees living in Somerville.” It also emphasizes a commitment to supporting and funding resources for immigrants, including legal assistance for residents facing deportation or deportation.
The City Council also called on the Somerville Police Department to honor its commitment to avoid cooperating with outside law enforcement agencies on matters related to immigrant detention.
“Regardless of the external pressures or challenges facing sanctuary cities, the Somerville City Council remains committed to its values of inclusion, equity and justice and will not hesitate to support our immigrant neighbors, who are an integral part of the strength and diversity of our community “,” the resolution says.
The Council approved the revised resolution after a temporary discussion and sent a replica to the Legislative Affairs Committee for further motion.
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