By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington alderman said he’s worried the federal government might single out the city as a place to ramp up deportations.

That’s one of the reasons why Alderman Mboka Mwilambwe (muh-BO-kuh mwil-AHM-bway) said he’s been cautious about backing a welcoming city ordinance.

He noted the Feds have stepped up deportations in Calfiforna, which is considered a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants.

“Some people have suggested to me, if you pass the ordinance, and if lots of cities pass the ordinance, then the federal government will be overwhelmed, they won’t know what to do and where to go,” said Mwilambwe.

“What if they say,’we’re picking Bloomington, that’s where we’re going,’ ” Mwilambwe said.”I have to think about that.”

He’s also calling for people with different views to stop shouting at each other.

“If we are able as a council, that’s our responsibility, to craft a process that allows everybody to express themselves in a way that’s respectful, thoughtful, we may learn a lot more than we did at the beginning,” Mwilambwe said.

The alderman said he loves the enthusiasm displayed by activists, some of whom fasted for 24 hours to show their support for a welcoming city resolution.

Mwilambwe said its important to communicate with people who aren’t activists, so they become more familiar with the matter, and perhaps support a compromise.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].