Immigration advocates urge Bloomington aldermen to adopt ‘welcoming’ declaration

Posted on November 27, 2017
Residents packed Bloomington City Hall to weigh in on whether or not Bloomington should be a welcoming city to undocumented immigrants. (Photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A crowd that spilled into the hallways and stairwells of Bloomington City Hall lobbied the city council Monday night to adopt a resolution declaring the city a welcoming place for undocumented immigrants.

Welcoming resolutions adopted by the District 87 and Unit 5 school boards discourage investigations on school grounds by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Supporters of a city ordinance say local police should also not assist ICE agents.

Charlotte Alvarez, executive director of the Immigration Project’s Bloomington-Normal office, told the council people are afraid to cooperate with police.

“You may not see them, Bloomington Police Department may not see them, but we at the Immigration Project see them. We know individuals are much less likely to report crimes if there’s any chance it will put them or their relatives in danger of deportation,” said Alvarez.

Representatives of the local American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters of McLean County also backed the proposal.

The audience cheered Mayor Tari Renner when he said everyone should feel welcome and safe.

Renner said the resolution is still being drafted and will be discussed at special meeting sometime next month. No date has been set for final city council action.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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