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Residents urge Bethlehem to adopt ‘welcoming city’ protections as council and police describe limits of local authority
Summary
Dozens of residents pressed Bethlehem City Council to adopt a policy limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Police and the mayor said the department will follow federal law but stressed local priorities to protect community trust.
Dozens of residents at Monday’s Bethlehem City Council meeting urged the council to adopt a “welcoming city” or sanctuary-style policy that would limit the city’s voluntary cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Speakers described fear in immigrant families and asked the city to put its practices in writing.
The calls came during public comment, when residents of South Bethlehem, college students and faith leaders described daily anxiety over possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visits and asked the council to make explicit that local resources will not be used to facilitate deportations.
“Please consider passing an executive order which states that police is not to comply with ICE detainer request unless they are supported by your judicial warrant and pertain to a person…
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