Takoma Park remains a Sanctuary City

by Laurie White

After months of debate, impassioned testimony and community efforts on both sides of the issue, the Takoma Park City Council reaffirmed and strengthened its Sanctuary City Ordinance on October 29.

In a press conference held the following day, Mayor Kathy Porter announced that the changes to the law were passed unanimously by the City Council the evening before, in a decision that “strengthened the law that has kept the city of Takoma Park an immigrant community for nearly two decades,” Porter said.

Surrounded by people holding signs saying “In Takoma Park we are all equal” and “We Love Takoma Park,” Porter told the crowd that immigrants were welcome in a community whose diversity only kept it stronger.

The County Council held a hearing on the ordinance on October 15, and the bill passed on first reading the following week. The October 29 vote passed it completely.

Porter focused some of her comments at the press conference on community relationships with the police department, an issue that has been at the heart of this matter since Police Chief Ronald Ricucci, who began leading the force in February, suggested revisiting the ordinance this summer.

Ricucci says that he was only requesting review of the small part of the ordinance that considers citizenship only in cases of immigrants with prior felony convictions who had been deported.

“I have a responsibility to the safety of my officers and to the community,” to consider the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE in such cases, Ricucci said, just after the first reading passed.

Still, now that the decision has been made, “We are moving forward to work with the Council and the community,” he says, adding that if anything should go wrong as a result of this change not being made, it will be the Council’s responsibility.

Saying that the decision was based firmly on what is best for public safety, City Council member Ward 4 representative Terry Seamens added that the proposed changes would have been more significant. 

“It’s important to undersand that the required amendment was not a narrow change,” he said. “If passed, Takoma Park would no longer be a sanctuary city. It would have allowed our police to treat people differently based on where they were born.”

He added that this brought fear to many people in his neighborhood, much of it based on knowledge of government actions in their home countries.

Porter reassured residents this week that “the city, including our police department” would continue to prioritize strong relationships with everyone in the community regardless of citizenship status.

Seamen agreed, saying that the Council was committed to work with the police department to improve police-community relations.

“By working together we will continue to build a safe and secure community for all residents whether born in the United States or anywhere else in the world,” he said. 

Porter gave special mention to Casa de Maryland, the Takoma Park organization that provides services to immigrants, and goes beyond a partner to what Porter called “one of us”. Director Gustavo Torres translated the press conference for Spanish speakers, and shared his views of recent developments on immigration in communities in the Washington area.

“What has happened around the Washington area is unacceptable,” he said, adding that there are churches in Prince William County asking people for a green card for donated food.

The message needs to be sent that everyone is welcome, he said, adding that “People don’t feel safe, people feel they can abuse immigrant community. I just want to say that we are very pleased and proud to be right over here in our great Takoma Park.”

“Today I am really happy…with the decision that the City Council made last night, said Norma Martinez, a city resident for four years. “We feel more safe, more secure, and we trust now more than ever the police and the work they are doing with our community and the city in general.”

Incoming Mayor Bruce Williams said that the need to support all residents was clear, and that it was too bad that the Federal government has been unable to address the immigration issue. He also clarified that as he took office there would be no change in emphasis on Takoma Park as a welcoming community for all.

Mike Mage, the President of the Montgomery County Chapter of the ACLU said he was proud that the city “unanimously had the backbone to stand up for what is right,” and hoped the county would follow. 

“We look forward to the day when all Montgomery County will also show some backbone,” he said. “We call on the county government to follow the brave example of Takoma Park. We call on the Montgomery County police and corrections department to leave all immigration enforcement to the federal government.”

He encouraged concentration on addressing local crime, and gaining the cooperation of the immigrant community to solve problems, rather than working in opposition.

Other officials stated that Takoma Park had made an important statement with their decision to support the sanctuary law.

Reverend Whit Hutchinson, a Takoma Park resident and representative of the sanctuary movement, congratulated Takoma Park for “standing up and being counted and placing their weight on the right side of history,” distinguishing itself as a “community with great moral character and great humanity.”

Hutchinson added that there are more than fifty sanctuary cities across the country and others who are taking up resolutions in support of the immigrant community, including the Washington, D.C. City Council.

Community members may learn more about the Sanctuary City law and related County Council proceedings, read testimony, and view a Webcast of Tuesday’s press conference by visiting the City of Takoma Park Website, at http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/