Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community leaders urge Blue Island to strengthen welcoming-city protections for immigrants
Summary
Faith leaders and immigrant-rights organizers told the council during public comment that Blue Island should deepen welcoming-city policies — including data-privacy protections — to ensure residents feel safe seeking services and calling police. Speakers urged the council to consider a forthcoming ordinance.
Several community leaders told the Blue Island City Council on Monday that the city should strengthen local “welcoming city” protections for immigrants, urging the council to adopt clearer privacy and implementation rules so residents will not fear seeking city services.
“There's a really unique history here of generation after generation of immigrants that have come to this area and called this area home,” said Pastor Bethany Ulrich of 1st Lutheran of Blue Island, who spoke during the public-comment period and urged the council to “deepen this welcome and these welcoming values” into policy. Ulrich said community advocates have warned that some residents lack confidence in existing protections and that carefully written data-privacy rules could reduce fear of contacting police or other city services.
Dylan Robinson, an immigration organizer with United Workers Center, told the council that recent federal immigration-enforcement actions underscore the need for local safeguards. “We would like to urge that Blue Island strengthens its welcoming city ordinance,” Robinson said, adding that residents need more confidence that the city's trust-act protections are respected.
Ali Clements, who identified herself as a Mission Covenant Church representative and a Blue Island resident, praised recent city events and invited council members and neighbors to a back-to-school event on Aug. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. at 2501 Collins Street, while saying the congregation shares concerns about immigrant safety.
None of the speakers asked the council for an immediate vote; the comments were made during the public-comment period and the council did not take formal action on the ordinance request that night. Council members said they would consider the advocates' requests as related proposals move forward on the agenda in coming weeks.
