At last night’s Hartford City Council meeting, a resolution was unanimously passed (update: text below), with the full sponsorship of councilors present, requesting that law enforcement officers in the city not “exert effort on behalf of federal agents to unearth undocumented residents” who live in Hartford.

Councilman Robert Painter (pictured), explaining three minor amendments, said, “We support the law enforcement officers who are looking for crimes committed by anybody, whether they’re undocumented residents or not.” He added that the amendments had been recommended by legal counsel “to make this particular resolution more effective.”

“The first change is in the fourth ‘whereas,’” Painter continued, “in the second line, following the words ‘Immigration and Customs Enforcement,’ to add the words, ‘offices and officials,’ so that it says, ‘The Hartford Police Department has assisted the federal government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices and officials in identifying and detaining undocumented Hartford residents.’”

“The second change,” Painter went on, “is in the following ‘whereas,’ following the words ‘our citizens.’ The amendment would read, ‘…who were in no way involved with said crime or its alleged perpetration.’”

City Council President John Bazzano (pictured) asked, “Is it perpetrator?”

Painter corrected himself. “Perpetrator,” he said. “The last word is, ‘perpetrator.’ Whatever I said, it should be perpetrator.”

“The last [amendment],” Painter concluded, “is in the first resolve, the fourth line, where the word ‘county’ appears; it should be ‘country.’ They’ve ‘come to this country with appropriate visas.’”

Bazzano asked for a second on the amendments, which Councilwoman Majority Leader rJo Winch offered; there was no discussion. A vote taken on the amendments passed smoothly and unanimously by roll call, and then Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson asked to add her name to the resolution. All the other councilors piped up to do the same. “Duly noted,” said Bazzano.

As Bazzano was about to ask for another roll call vote on the resolution itself, Councilwoman Elizabeth Horton Sheff (pictured) said, “Before we go on, may I—” and Bazzano replied, “Yes, of course,” giving her the floor.

“Thank you, Mr. President,” she began. “I just wanted to enforce the fact that this resolution speaks to fairness and justice. We’re not saying that people who commit crimes should not be held accountable. We’re not saying that folks who are here illegally should be given special privileges. We’re just saying that there’s fairness and justice, and we want to be a city that promotes fairness and justice. So, thank you for all names.”

Next, Councilman Calixto Torres (pictured) wished to have a word. “I’d like to echo the sentiment,” he began, “and add that absent a comprehensive, just immigration policy in this country, I think we need to speak out, and put the pressure on our federal government to come up with something which is equitable and fair for all our residents in this country. And with that, I’d also like to have Dr. Bob Painter draft it into the group of presidential candidates. [Winks] Maybe he can get something done, get us elected over there.” There were titters of laughter among the members of the City Council at this last remark.

Bazzano said, “Thank you. Any further comments? Mr. Town Clerk, will you please call the roll on item number 39, as amended, please.” Town Clerk Daniel Carey did so, and the item passed unanimously.

Text of the resolution as passed, with thanks to Luis Cotto:

WHEREAS, The federal government of the United States has not put forth an integrated, holistic immigration policy; and

WHEREAS, Large numbers of undocumented residents live in the City of Hartford; and

WHEREAS, Many undocumented residents have resided here for years, have children born in Hartford, work one or more jobs in the City, and contribute to the economy and rich cultural life of the City, and

WHEREAS, The Hartford Police Department has assisted the federal government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices and officers in identifying and detaining undocumented Hartford residents; and

WHEREAS, During a recent region wide search for the perpetrator of a serious crime, a large number of our citizens, unassociated with the crime, were tentatively identified as undocumented residents and arrested, and

WHEREAS, This action is disruptive for the families of these residents, resulting of separation of parents from children, loss of employment and housing, and the cause of great fear in immigrant communities; and therefore be it

RESOLVED That the Court of Common Council goes on record as favoring a comprehensive, holistic, integrated federal immigration policy that will tighten our borders, provide an opportunity for workers to come to this country with appropriate visas, and create a pathway for presently undocumented workers who wish to become citizens to do so, and let it further be

RESOLVED, That the Mayor assist the Chief of the Hartford Police Department in developing policies that do not hinder the police from properly carrying out their duties in identifying criminal elements and assuring the public safety but to avoid becoming involved in immigration issues or asking the immigration status of individuals detained for other reasons.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 at 1:17 pm and is filed under City Council, Community building, Demographics, Events, Hartford, Public safety, Quality of life, Urban Compass.