Saying that St. Paul values all people, the City Council Wednesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that keeps responsibility for enforcing immigration law with federal authorities.
The proposal limits situations in which police and other city workers can be required to enforce federal immigration laws. A similar measure was passed last year in Minneapolis and has been approved in several communities around the country.
?It?s a historic moment for St. Paul,? Council Member Jay Benanav said after the 7-0 vote. ?This ordinance really recognizes the diversity and the richness that all immigrant groups have brought to St. Paul and continue to bring to St. Paul.?
Council Member Pat Harris, author of the ordinance, noted his Irish-Armenian-German heritage and the fact that his ancestors were victims of the genocide in Armenia in the early 20th century.
?I?m very proud to do something like this today,? he said.
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| St. Paul City Council members and staff listen to testimony on the immigration ordinance. |
Before the vote, several people testified in support of the ordinance, often referred to as a ?city/INS separation ordinance.? They said the measure was needed, especially in light of intimidation of immigrants since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the passage of the Patriot Act, which gives federal authorities vast powers to arrest and detain people.
Representatives of immigrant Latino, Asian and African communities said many people are afraid to deal with public workers, especially police, for fear their legal status will be questioned.
Ilean Her, executive director of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, cited the case of a young Filipino woman, brought to the Twin Cities as a ?mail-order bride.? Although she became a victim of domestic violence, ?her fear kept her from seeking help,? Her said.
Through the ordinance, ?the city of St. Paul will say there are certain rights we will protect . . . a right to safety and medical help when you need it,? she said.
Hassan Muhammed, vice president of the Minnesota chapter of the Moslem-American Society and president of the Somali Families and Youth Association of Minnesota, said many East Africans have a well-founded fear of law enforcement. In their home countries, ?the police is the military, is the immigration officer,? he said.
?We can remove that fear through this ordinance,? he said.
A number of unions supported the proposal, saying it allows police, firefighters, public health nurses, housing inspectors, librarians and other city employees to do their jobs and provide city services without being forced to unnecessarily investigate a resident?s immigration status.
Shar Knutson, president of the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO; and Amy Bodnar, a representative of the Service Employees International Union, both testified in favor of the ordinance.
?Over 30 citizen groups have signed onto this,? Bodnar noted.
None of the speakers at the public hearing opposed the measure. After the vote, the ordinance was laid over for final passage at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 5.
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| Union leaders Shar Knutson and Robin Madsen, seated at right, were among the scores of citizens attending the City Council hearing. |
For more information on immigrant issues
Visit the special Workday Minnesota section on immigrant workers
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Saying that St. Paul values all people, the City Council Wednesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that keeps responsibility for enforcing immigration law with federal authorities.
The proposal limits situations in which police and other city workers can be required to enforce federal immigration laws. A similar measure was passed last year in Minneapolis and has been approved in several communities around the country.
?It?s a historic moment for St. Paul,? Council Member Jay Benanav said after the 7-0 vote. ?This ordinance really recognizes the diversity and the richness that all immigrant groups have brought to St. Paul and continue to bring to St. Paul.?
Council Member Pat Harris, author of the ordinance, noted his Irish-Armenian-German heritage and the fact that his ancestors were victims of the genocide in Armenia in the early 20th century.
?I?m very proud to do something like this today,? he said.
|
| St. Paul City Council members and staff listen to testimony on the immigration ordinance. |
Before the vote, several people testified in support of the ordinance, often referred to as a ?city/INS separation ordinance.? They said the measure was needed, especially in light of intimidation of immigrants since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the passage of the Patriot Act, which gives federal authorities vast powers to arrest and detain people.
Representatives of immigrant Latino, Asian and African communities said many people are afraid to deal with public workers, especially police, for fear their legal status will be questioned.
Ilean Her, executive director of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, cited the case of a young Filipino woman, brought to the Twin Cities as a ?mail-order bride.? Although she became a victim of domestic violence, ?her fear kept her from seeking help,? Her said.
Through the ordinance, ?the city of St. Paul will say there are certain rights we will protect . . . a right to safety and medical help when you need it,? she said.
Hassan Muhammed, vice president of the Minnesota chapter of the Moslem-American Society and president of the Somali Families and Youth Association of Minnesota, said many East Africans have a well-founded fear of law enforcement. In their home countries, ?the police is the military, is the immigration officer,? he said.
?We can remove that fear through this ordinance,? he said.
A number of unions supported the proposal, saying it allows police, firefighters, public health nurses, housing inspectors, librarians and other city employees to do their jobs and provide city services without being forced to unnecessarily investigate a resident?s immigration status.
Shar Knutson, president of the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO; and Amy Bodnar, a representative of the Service Employees International Union, both testified in favor of the ordinance.
?Over 30 citizen groups have signed onto this,? Bodnar noted.
None of the speakers at the public hearing opposed the measure. After the vote, the ordinance was laid over for final passage at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 5.
|
| Union leaders Shar Knutson and Robin Madsen, seated at right, were among the scores of citizens attending the City Council hearing. |
For more information on immigrant issues
Visit the special Workday Minnesota section on immigrant workers