Minneapolis Star Tribune , MN
April 29 2004
Strong backing for St. Paul immigration ordinance
Illegal immigrants deserve to feel safe in their communities without
fear that police will report them to the federal government,
according to a unified message sent to the St. Paul City Council on
Wednesday.
Backers of a proposed ordinance that would free St. Paul police from
having to concern themselves with immigration status packed City
Council chambers at a public hearing. Among the speakers were
representatives of unions, religious organizations and a lawyers’
group, and immigrant and civil rights activists.
“The war on terrorism is becoming a war on immigration,” said Howard
Goldman, who represented the Jewish Community Action.
Ilean Her, executive director of the state Council on Asian Pacific
Minnesotans, told of a young Filipino woman who came to the United
States as what she described as a “mail-order bride.”
She was beaten by her husband, who took her passport and forced her
into prostitution, Her told the council. Police were alerted when the
woman sought help at a domestic violence shelter, Her said.
“She did not know she could go to the police,” Her said. “She did not
know they could protect her. … There should not have been this fear
that her immigration status would stop the police from treating her
humanely.”
Council Member Pat Harris, who sponsored the ordinance, got choked up
as he recalled the previous generations of his family who immigrated
from Armenia, Ireland and Germany.
“I’m very proud to do something like this today,” he said, his voice
shaking as he urged the council to support the measure.
The council is scheduled to vote on May 5. Most of the seven council
members have voiced their support, as has Mayor Randy Kelly.
Jackie Crosby
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
