Dear Mayor Sid Edwards and officials,

As a devoted family member, a dear friend of many immigrants, and a proud Latina, this cause is profoundly personal to me. Immigrants comprise a vibrant and essential strand in the fabric of our society. They come here seeking refuge, a better life, escaping conflict, or for other countless reasons. It's true, no group is without its flaws, but it is unjust to punish all those who are striving to work hard and live in peace. The cry often heard is to "come here legally," but very few grasp the tremendous difficulties, costs, and time involved in the legalization process, with numerous individuals having open cases for years due to backlog.

In light of this, we must adopt clearer policies to ensure the respect of human rights and the dignity of all our residents. We are calling on the city officials to establish a separation of ordinance from ICE that would specify our city officials, including our police officers, will not interrogate individuals about their immigration status or gather information about who is documented or undocumented. This ordinance will also ensure that our city does not cooperate with federal law enforcement with respect to federal immigration law, particularly concerning ICE raids in critical community spaces such as schools, churches, hospitals, workplaces, and other establishments.

This stance is necessary to maintain trust in the city administration and law enforcement among our diverse population. It's not only a reflection of our values but also a commitment to our community, which includes immigrants who contribute significantly to our economy and cultural richness.

Please, stand with us for our friends, families, neighbors, and community members. Sign this petition to establish a clear separation of ordinance from ICE in our city.