A softened ‘sanctuary city’ resolution passes

BY PRU SOWERS

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

A change of heart from Mayor Craig Cates helped pass a much-debated effort to declare Key West a “welcoming city” that does not actively enforce federal immigration laws.

A resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jimmy Weekley that downgraded his initial effort to declare Key West a sanctuary city passed by a 5-2 vote. The “welcoming city” wording was an effort to avoid threats from President Donald Trump to withdraw all law enforcement grants from cities that refuse to help federal authorities identify undocumented immigrants. The Key West Police Department received $34,200 in the 2016 fiscal year from two federal grants, one a 50 percent reimbursement for purchasing ballistic police vests and another $15,200 received every year to purchase other equipment.

But the emphasis during the debate at the city commission’s May 16 meeting was on protecting the city’s immigrant population, not a potential loss of federal funds. Although there are no estimates on how many illegal immigrants live in Key West, Weekley said he estimates that over 30 percent of the city’s workforce are immigrants, both legal and illegal.

“The percentage is probably higher in the service industry. We need to protect all citizens of this community,” he said. The approved resolution states that all city services will remain accessible to residents regardless of their immigration status and that city staff, including police, will not request proof of immigration status.

Weekley began the effort to line up support for his original sanctuary city resolution six months ago. He ran into objections from several of his colleagues, including Mayor Cates, who worried the existing shortage of affordable housing would become worse if illegal immigrants moved to Key West, drawn by a perceived lack of local enforcement of immigration laws. But after Weekley changed the wording to “welcoming city,” Cates got on board.

“I’m comfortable with the information I’ve received. We know our police department has always enforced the law in the same way,” Cates said, adding that the resolution won’t change current police policy. Police Chief Donie Lee has said his department will assist federal authorities in tracking down illegal immigrants involved in a violent crime but would not be involved in general immigration enforcement because that comes under federal jurisdiction.

Two commissioners were not swayed by the wording change, however. Commissioner Billy Wardlow said there was no need for the resolution because there have been no immigration enforcement issues in the city. We don’t have a problem, he said, everybody gets along.

Commissioner Margaret Romero agreed with Wardlow, pointing out that neither police, city staff or local medical providers currently ask for immigration status. But she also said that illegal immigrants have responsibilities that go along with the rights they receive.

“I ask the question why are they undocumented? Why won’t they begin to get the citizenship to be here legally,” she said, adding, “What’s the fear that keeps them from becoming of part of what we call home?”

Several residents spoke during the commission debate, urging that the resolution be passed. Key West Mayoral Candidate Giancarlo Espinosa, who became a US citizen himself 18 months ago, said the resolution would help the city “stand up for our citizens.” And Maria Schmidt also urged the resolution be passed.
“This is us. This is Key West,” she said about the welcoming city idea. “This is our definition of One Human Family.”

Commissioner Clayton Lopez had a personal reason to support Weekley’s resolution. His granddaughter, who immigrated to this country when she was seven years old, first went through a lengthy immigration process as a child. After turning 18, she is going through the legal process a second time as an adult, which is expensive and frustrating, Lopez said, describing his first-hand experience with his granddaughter.

“If I don’t stand up for this, I am betraying my own family,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

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