Thread: 2 Iowa cities could be immigration sanctuaries

Associated Press

1:32 p.m. CST, December 18, 2010

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Officials in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City are considering policies that would make their cities sanctuaries for illegal immigrants.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the policies will likely be discussed at council meetings in January.

If approved, the policies would prohibit city employees, including police, from notifying federal authorities of illegal immigrants and from denying services based on Immigration status.

Marlon Pierre-Antoine, a Haitian-American advocating the sanctuary policy in Cedar Rapids, says the working poor cannot get ahead under current Immigration law.
In Iowa City, Mennonite pastor Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler says the policy is needed to allow illegal immigrants to become participants in the community and to allow them to feel safe from deportation when reporting crimes. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi- ... 3720.story

I would hope that Eric Holder and the DOJ will get right on this. These two towns would be in violation of Federal Law!!

"Newmexican"I would hope that Eric Holder and the DOJ will get right on this. These two towns would be in violation of Federal Law!! Maybe all of the Illegals In Caeeeefornia will leave and go there

Sanctuary City group hosts candlelight vigil

Rob Daniel • Iowa City Press-Citizen •
December 17, 2010

Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler had a simple message for the roughly 40 people who stood outside Iowa City Hall on Thursday night.

"We're here to display love for all of our neighbors, regardless of national origin," she said.

The crowd outside of Iowa City Hall on a cold evening was for a candlelight vigil for "lighting the way for justice and peace," according to the Sanctuary City Committee, which sponsored the vigil.

The committee is pushing for the Iowa City Council to pass an ordinance that would ensure that enforcement of immigration is done at the federal level rather than the local.

Stoltzfus Detweiler, a member of the Sanctuary City Committee and pastor at First Mennonite Church in Iowa City, said the candlelight vigil was a way to shine a "positive light" on undocumented residents.

"We are hoping to raise awareness both of the injustices immigrants face in the nation and to shine an encouraging light," she said. "The safety of our community doesn't depend on some people living in fear."

During the vigil, the crowd sang and prayed along with Stoltzfus Detweiler and other leaders including the Rev. Rudolph Juarez of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Iowa City.

"For those who live in fear for their lives, and on the margins of society, that we work towards the creation of a more equitable, compassionate and just society, we light a candle in the spirit of courage," Juarez read to the crowd.

Katy Hansen of Iowa City said she was OK with standing outside for those who are afraid of being deported.

"People who are not documented are not illegal," she said. "We basically believe we should welcome them."

Reach Rob Daniel at 339-7360 or rdaniel@press-citizen.com.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20 ... ight-vigil

"We are hoping to raise awareness both of the injustices immigrants face in the nation and to shine an encouraging light," she said. "The safety of our community doesn't depend on some people living in fear."

Conveniently left off "illegal alien" in front of immigrant, for a reason.

Tell the truth, liar, thief and crook!

Only 2 of the 99 communities in Iowa are enrolled in the I.C.E. Secure Community Program.