Rochester council reaffirms 'compassionate city,' authorizes city attorney to pursue amicus filings documenting local impacts of federal enforcement

Rochester — After an extended public comment period in which dozens of residents described encounters with federal immigration agents, the Rochester City Council on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming Rochester as a ‘‘compassionate city’’ and then narrowly approved a separate motion to direct the city attorney to coordinate amicus participation in federal litigation that challenges recent federal enforcement tactics.

The council’s resolution, introduced by Councilmember Doring, affirms the city’s stated values and its long-standing policy on local policing. Doring told colleagues, “I brought forth this resolution to let our community know that we hear them, to let them know that we care,” and asked members to vote in favor to show support for fearful and affected residents. The resolution passed unanimously.

The council then debated a second, separate…