Bangor advisory committee votes to ask City Council to oppose 287(g) immigration agreements

The Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights on Aug. 26 voted 6-0 to recommend that Bangor City Council adopt a resolution opposing any local participation in federal 287(g) immigration agreements.

The committee said the recommendation reflects concerns that deputizing local officers to enforce federal immigration laws undermines public trust and discourages immigrant community cooperation with police, which national research and examples cited in the committee packet say can reduce public safety.

Committee facilitator Katie Bridal began the evening’s discussion after a public-comment period in which several residents urged the committee to act. Public commenters described recent federal immigration-enforcement activity and urged the committee to adopt a clear, local stance. Joshua Faieh, who identified himself as a Bangor resident, told the panel, “Immigrants are welcome, integral members of our community” and urged the committee to recommend a local ban on 287(g)-style agreements.

Committee members reviewed draft language from other municipalities and discussed whether to send a detailed draft resolution to City Council or a shorter recommendation stating only that Bangor should not enter 287(g) agreements. Some members urged keeping the committee’s name out of the draft submitted to Council to avoid a procedural delay flagged earlier in the meeting related to grant paperwork language.

The committee chair (identified on the record as Katie Bridal) called for a roll call; the committee recorded the recommendation as passing 6-0 and indicated it would present the draft to the City Council’s Government Operations committee for consideration.

The committee packet and discussion cited research and local examples that the presenters said link law-enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agencies to reduced reporting by immigrant victims and, in some cases, racial-profiling allegations. Committee members said the vote is a recommendation to Council and that Council will determine final language and any legal review. The committee also said it plans to help present the issue before Council and to continue outreach to community members who spoke at the meeting.

The committee’s action will be transmitted to Council for the next steps in the municipal review process; a staff member said the item may go to the Government Operations committee at the next available meeting.

The committee also approved two routine items earlier in the meeting, including minutes from May 6 and May 27, by recorded voice/roll-call votes that were noted in the minutes.