Erie City Council has approved an ordinance that prohibits the city from supporting federal immigration enforcement actions, except in specific cases, as part of the city’s efforts to maintain its status as a welcoming city.
City Council on March 4 voted 6-1 for the ordinance, which outlines the city’s goals to obtain and/or maintain the status as a “Welcoming City” under the guidelines of Welcoming America, a national organization based in Decatur, Ga.
Welcoming America encourages cities to become more inclusive regarding all residents, including immigrants and refugees. Erie was first named a welcoming city by the organization in 2020.
Erie City Council has approved an ordinance regarding the city’s status as a welcoming city that prohibits the city from supporting federal immigration enforcement actions, except in specific cases.
“I’m excited to support it,” Councilman Andre Horton said before council’s vote in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, 626 State St. “We should reflect all things good about the city of Erie. One of the things that’s good about the city of Erie is we are very welcoming.”
Welcoming America generally advocates against policies that target immigrants, such as the mass deportations and increased immigration enforcement/presence in American cities seen recently under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Previous coverage: Erie could limit immigration enforcement to keep welcoming city status
What does the ordinance say about cooperating with Immigration enforcement?
Mayor Daria Devlin has said that Erie needs a defined strategy regarding immigration enforcement “in order to continue our welcoming city status.”
Devlin has also said she is comfortable with the welcoming city ordinance, which makes it clear that city police officers are not required to enforce federal immigration laws. The ordinance, Devlin said, is not “adding anything” regarding immigration enforcement.
“We are simply clarifying the language in the ordinance. We are not adding anything. This has been the standard practice of our police department.” Devlin said.
The ordinance states that city officials will not use city resources “to provide any information to immigration enforcement officials” unless that action is expressly authorized by the ordinance.
The ordinance also states that “the city shall not engage in, assist, or support immigration enforcement” except under the following circumstances:
An articulated/direct threat to life or public safety;
Cooperation is required to execute a judicial warrant/court order or to comply with existing federal and/or state law;
Councilman Ed Brzezinski was the lone “no” vote, saying the stipulations in the ordinance could hamper police. “I don’t think they need to have a hesitation when they’re doing their jobs,” Brzezinski said.
Welcoming America ratings
The ordinance states the city will strive for no less than a three-star rating with Welcoming America. Erie currently has a one-star welcoming city rating with the organization.
According to information available on Welcoming America’s website, cities with a three-star rating must have policies in place clarifying “the jurisdiction and separation between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement agencies.”
The city’s ordinance states, among other things, that city officials, including police, will not “inquire into an individuals citizenship or immigration status” unless required to do so by state law/federal court order.
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at@ETNflowers.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why Erie City Council signed off on a new welcoming city ordinance