One of the resolutions up for vote at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual meeting in Tampa this weekend urges federal authorities to concentrate their deportation efforts on convicted criminals rather than undocumented people who make valuable contributions to their communities.
Andy Ginther, the current president of the conference and the mayor of Columbus, Ohio, says so.
On Thursday, the first day of the four-day event, Ginther gave a news conference at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. For the annual summer gathering, 179 mayors from all across the nation have come together to take part in panel discussions on topics including public safety, homelessness, and disaster management, to mention a few.
There are three major pillars to the immigration resolution:
California’s Fresno, For 18 of his 40 years with the Fresno Police Department, Mayor Jerry Dyer served as chief. During the press conference, he stated that one of the lessons he has learnt is that police personnel need to be viewed as a welcome presence rather than an occupying force in order to be effective.
“Unfortunately, what we are witnessing today in many American cities, including Los Angeles, is an occupying force, and that is our U.S. military and federal agents,” he stated. And regrettably, that circumstance requires the involvement of the Los Angeles Police Department.
“The truth is that the tactics need to be changed,” he continued, “and I do think that our friends over at HIS (Homeland Security Investigations) and ICE need to change how they approach immigration enforcement in our cities.” I really feel that there needs to be improved communication with local law enforcement, and the uniforms need to be changed.
This weekend’s conference will be hosted by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who spent 31 years with the Tampa Police Department, the last six of which were as chief. She repeated Dyer’s comments, saying that trust is the cornerstone of cooperation between the police force and local communities.
According to her, crime increases when that trust is damaged. Why? Because they no longer trust law enforcement, some immigrant groups feel uncomfortable reporting crimes when they are victims.
She stated that this is the main justification for local law enforcement not being involved in immigration enforcement.
According to the website CalMatters, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria expressed his continued displeasure over an ICE raid that took place in his city’s South Park neighborhood late last month on a Friday night. During the raid, dozens of ICE agents raided a well-known Italian restaurant in order to apprehend and ultimately arrest four people.
I was informed that they were seeking a few waiters and waitresses, busboys, and dishwashers, he stated. As far as we know, none of them have committed any major crimes.
Gloria claimed that agents frightened customers with their hostile demeanor and utilized flash-bang grenades. He also took issue with the federal agents’ and local law enforcement’s lack of coordination.
“That’s why my officers were called to respond,” he stated. Hundreds of people were obstructing traffic and demonstrating in the streets when the radio calls were made. Everyone is at risk as a result of this lack of coordination, even the federal agents who were on duty that day.
According to reports, ICE officers obtained a warrant for 19 employees who worked at the restaurant and were suspected of using fake green cards.
Gloria mentioned the No Kings demonstration that took place in San Diego on Saturday. According to media sources, more to 60,000 people showed up to protest the Trump government. “I’m happy to report that there was not a single arrest,” he stated. According to local organizers, 69,000 individuals attended the event.
Was the goal of the restaurant raid to create terror in that community or to make our nation safer? “Those are the things that we Americans need to focus on,” Castor continued.
Mayor Ginther addressed President Trump’s decision to send the California National Guard and U.S. Marines into Los Angeles before discussing the proposed ICE resolution. He stated the conference supports L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who was supposed to attend the meeting on Friday.
He claimed it was an unprecedented action for the federal government to send the National Guard to Los Angeles without the governor’s approval or even his disagreement. The severity of the demonstrations that these government acts have caused must be recognized. Everyone has the basic right to peacefully gather and express their grievances. The foundation of American liberty is that.
According to a Conference of Mayors official, the resolution against ICE measures will be considered before the Criminal and Social Justice Committee on Friday, and the full assembly of mayors will vote on it on Sunday.
Florida’s Mitch Perry The Phoenix
