Irondale resident asks about federal immigration activity; mayor reiterates city stance
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Summary
A resident asked whether federal immigration officers notify the city before enforcement actions; Mayor James Douglas Stewart Jr. said the city does not assist or receive notice and reiterated his prior position that the city will neither assist nor interfere.
Nick Bonatti, a resident of the Holiday Gardens area, used the public-comment period to raise concerns about federal immigration officers operating in the community and asked whether the city and Irondale Police Department are informed in advance of federal operations.
"Are we informed in advance of their operations in our community? What is your stance on keeping the residents safe, making sure that the community is informed of everything that's going on?" Bonatti asked, noting he had read the mayor’s public posts on the subject.
Mayor Stewart answered that he had addressed the issue previously and would not continue extensive discussion during the meeting. He reiterated his position: "I said that the city of Irondale would not assist, but we would not interfere with what they are doing in the community. ... They do not contact us when they come into the city. We find out just like everybody else." He added that this is the settled position he stated at prior public meetings.
Bonatti thanked the mayor and said he raised the matter because he expects federal presence to continue. The mayor declined further extended discussion at that moment but left the door open for residents to speak further during appropriate agenda items.