By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois People’s Action, along with some local church officials, are pushing what they’re calling Welcoming City ordinances in both Bloomington and Normal.
Illinois People’s Action Board member Sonny Garcia said during a press conference at Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington the ordinance would mean local police aren’t allowed to work with federal immigration officials.
“The basic impetus of this is people in the community are afraid. They’re terrorized by the police. Every time they see the police they want nothing to do with them,” said Garcia. “Children are crying at schools because they have no idea, if when they come home, if they’re parents are going to be there or not.”
Garcia added if this ordinance were approved, police would still have to comply with federal laws.
“All we’re asking them to do is when there’s a regular traffic stop, or any kind of encounter with a person that appears to be an immigrant, that they don’t ask them about their immigrant status,” said Garcia. “That if you’ve got a choice between arresting somebody and giving them a ticket that they choose to give them a ticket.”
Garcia said other Illinois cities have passed similar ordinances and have not had major issues with the federal government.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
