Despite months of debate, Easton has decided not to declare itself a welcoming city for its immigrant citizens.
On the agenda for the city council’s Wednesday night meeting, an ordinance officially designating Easton as a welcome city was removed. In light of recent arrests by immigration and customs enforcement, Councilwoman Taiba Sultana proposed the proposal, which would have established rights for the city’s immigrants.
Regardless of immigration or refugee status, it sought to offer assistance. It would have codified procedures that the ordinance said elected officials and city employees already followed.
It would have been illegal for city workers to ask someone about their immigration status or to note it unless mandated by law or a court order. Additionally, it would have limited collaboration with federal immigration enforcement organizations, including the exchange of personal data, unless required by federal or state law.
The ordinance permits access to city services using alternate forms of identity, such as consular ID cards or passports. It highlighted how police departments currently approve certification requests for specific visas for witnesses and victims of crime.
Council members were urged by the bill to vigorously promote inclusive policies at the municipal, state, and federal levels. An annual report outlining advocacy activities and any collaborations with external organizations was required.
The proposed ordinance cited previous city initiatives, such as a 2014 resolution supporting driver’s licenses for residents regardless of legal status and a 2017 resolution calling for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. made a motion to take the ordinance off the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. He thought it would draw unwanted federal attention to the city, further endangering immigrants.
Speaking with members of the immigrant community, City Councilman Frank Pintabone said that they have requested that the council cease promoting the ordinance for a similar reason.
We’re a friendly city. Each and every immigrant was welcomed. Panto stated, “I believe our record demonstrates that.” This, in my opinion, merely confirms our actions. Therefore, why enact an ordinance? I find it really unsettling that we would do this.
According to Pintabone, the police are already carrying out the ordinance’s requirements. He claimed that ICE arrests have continued to take place in other places with comparable laws.
According to Sultana, approving the welcome city ordinance would not raise the likelihood of ICE targeting the city, which is already a target. She clarified that it is crucial to document these protections, even in cases where the police are already not assisting ICE.
She clarified that she has had conversations with numerous local residents, entrepreneurs, and legal professionals who are in favor of the ordinance and want the city to stand up to what she called harsh federal anti-immigration laws.
According to councilwoman Crystal Rose, the city council’s responsibility is to safeguard Easton’s citizens within the law. However, she noted, the city has no authority over federal matters like ICE.
As we’ve seen in other municipalities, I simply don’t think the ordinance has teeth,” she added.
You can contact Chelsea McClure at [email protected]. Follow her at @chelsealehighvalley on Instagram.
