The overall goal of this petition is to create a clear separation between federal government operations, such as the ongoing increase of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations across our Nation, and Borough operations and local Enforcement including our local police officers and first responders. No matter your stance on immigration in the great melding pot that is our country it is important to recognize that our local taxes and revenue should go back into our community through the fixing of streets and sidewalks, upkeep and updating of our public park and amenities, and community events such as Take It To The Streets or Movie Nights in the Park.

Concern of public safety and negligence or truancy is also a possible fault related to Borough action on behalf of the federal government, where members of the community may choose not to call the Police, EMS, or Firefighters due to fear of inquiry into their immigration status or wrongful detainment. Some school-aged people may choose not to attend school, bringing our truancy rates up and our testing rates down as a Borough. People may also choose not to take their family members or themselves to doctors appointments out of fear of wrongful detainment which can lead to spread of illness or complications leading to further strain on our already spread-thin medical institutions. 

Brentwood has prided itself on its sense of community, which is visible through our multitude of community events that are free to us all. To be a part of Brentwood, to live or work here, is to be a part of our community.

If you wish to, you can send a message directly to the Borough asking for consideration of this petition. The Borough has a contact us feature on their website. I made a script template that you can copy and paste if you do not wish to create a message yourself:

"Hello, I am a current resident of Brentwood and want to show my support for the consideration of the petition made for the demarcation of Federal and Borough operations. This is an opportunity to uphold our rights and freedoms, and to ensure funding for the Borough remains in the interest of the Borough. I would appreciate the council members attention to this matter and hope action can be taken to place it on the soonest agenda.

Thank you."

The following is a suggested writing of the demarcation for consideration by the council of Brentwood Borough, written entirely by me:

Whereas, the Borough of Brentwood (“Borough”) recognizes that all people are created equal, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, national origin, or immigration status; and

Whereas, it is recognized as a benefit to the Borough to welcome all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, national origin, or immigration status so as to enhance local culture, economic growth, and overall well-being for current and future generations of Borough; and

Whereas, the fourth amendment of the constitution as well as the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania protects all people from unreasonable search and seizure; and

Whereas, the aforementioned laws require a warrant for a person’s arrest must only be issued by a neutral and detached Judge or Judicial Officer; and

Whereas, it is recognized that, in many cases, being present in the United States of America without proper documentation is considered a Civil Violation, not a Criminal Offense; and

Whereas, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in which Borough resides, has protected from and opposed discrimination against individuals or groups by reason of their race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, use of guide or support animals because of blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals since the passing of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act by policy and procedure, as amended from time to time thereafter; and

Whereas, Borough strives to ensure that both employees and community feel respected, welcomed, and participate in and contribute to Borough’s governance and decision making processes as well as the culture and community of Borough; and

Whereas, Officials and Employees of Borough are expected and required to treat all persons equally and without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or ability to speak the English language; and

Whereas, Borough encourages crime reporting and cooperation in the investigation of criminal activity by ensuring that all persons, regardless of their actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status, feel secure that contacting or being addressed by members of the Borough Police or Sheriffs will not include or lead to an immigration inquiry; and

Whereas, it is additionally the judgement of the council that any factors that reduce the trust between the Borough’s residents and Borough law enforcement personnel or first responders pose clear and inherent risks to the public and our Borough personnel, to such a degree that reduced trust historically results in fewer interactions to report dangers to public health and safety, medical emergencies, traffic accidents, and the likes, while interactions that do take place will likely entail elevated tension and danger for both the public and our First Responders; and

Whereas, Borough recognizes the economic, moral, and communal strain that the aforementioned potential distrust in the Borough and its employees, officers, or businesses would cause, including but not limited to loss of businesses and employees, increased hate crimes and bullying based on perceived or actual immigration status, or further concerned for the most vulnerable members of society, causing mistreatment or negligence in the care for elderly, disabled, or children due to concern for immigration inquiries when presenting for medical visits or in the case of medical emergencies; and

Whereas, it is recognized through recent incidents that possible violations of our Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendment Rights as well as potential internationally recognized Human Rights violations may occur and cause further distrust between the public and Borough or financial strain due to court cases or brought against the Borough or its employees due to a perceived violation; and

Whereas, the establishment of law and regulations governing immigration lies solely within the powers and duties of the Federal Government, enforcement of Immigration law and regulation is generally civil rather than criminal, and is the responsibility of the Federal Government. It is further recognized that Federal Government operations are funded by Federal taxes and fee levies, and potentially through the use of Federal borrowing or proposed tariffs, and Federal law does not require local Governments to expend their own resources to assist in Federal enforcement activities directly; and

Whereas, Federal law does require certain information be shared, and in some instances information related to immigration or refugee status must be collected, but this is not required universally for interactions between Borough employees or officers and the public; and

Whereas, the intention of this proposal and the accompanying petition is to establish transparent demarcation between Borough functions and Federal functions, such that local revenues are utilized for Borough functions rather than to subsidize federal enforcement activities. Further, Borough intends to mitigate any potential distrust or apprehension  that may cause individuals to refrain from seeking assistance or services provided by Borough or its businesses or establishments based on concerns of being wrongfully detained or otherwise detrimentally treated solely as a result of refugee or immigration status, or by race, religion, appearance. It is not the intention of Borough to restrict the ability or duties of Officials or Employees, as defined herein, from performing their duties as defined under Commonwealth, county, or Borough law, nor to require them to commit violations of Federal law. Accordingly, nothing contained herein should be read, interpreted, or otherwise construed to require such a result. The requirements of federal law, however, are to be construed strictly by Officials or Employees, and not deemed to extend to any act or behavior not specifically required or forbidden.