Thread: Immigration controversy roils Evanston City Council

Immigration controversy roils Evanston City Council
'Sanctuary city' measure reworked

By Deborah Horan | Tribune staff reporter
March 15, 2008

Evanston's City Council this week backed away from instructing police and government workers to not ask about a person's immigration status and dropped language calling illegal immigration foes racist after a controversial resolution to create a so-called sanctuary city angered some residents.

Instead, the nine-member council unanimously passed a non-binding resolution Monday that calls on the city to reaffirm its commitment to the "humane" treatment of immigrants and appeals to the federal government to provide a road to legalization for undocumented immigrants, among other pleas.

The original draft resolution caused a furor in January because of language in the preamble that suggested those opposed to illegal immigration were racist.

Proponents acknowledged the original resolution's passage would have been largely symbolic -- Evanston does not require police or government workers to ask about immigrant status -- but said it would show support for the city's immigrants.

"Why go through the process of telling people not to do something they're already not doing?" said Ald. Lionel Jean-Baptiste. "I'm not into fixing things that are not broken."

The initial resolution resembled dozens of similar edicts approved by towns across the nation that direct police to not ask about immigration status during routine police work unless required by law, immigration advocates said.

"That [part of the resolution] pretty much got hacked off," said Ald. Edmund Moran. "I thought that was very unfortunate."

The resolutions often attract the ire of those who argue local governments have a duty to alert federal authorities of anyone here illegally. The issue has sparked lawsuits with different judges reaching different conclusions legal experts predicted would ultimately be resolved by the Supreme Court.

In Evanston, the debate attracted lobbyists from Washington and residents from neighboring towns opposed to the resolution, creating what several aldermen said was an unwanted spotlight on the city.

"You know how many haters we attracted through this process?" Jean-Baptiste said. "If you don't have a problem to resolve, why fan the flames of hatred?"

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dhoran@tribune.com

http://tinyurl.com/ytfs42

WOW the citizens of Evanston are furious as they should be.I would guess the city council members will be looking for new jobs come election time.

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"You know how many haters we attracted through this process?" Jean-Baptiste said. "If you don't have a problem to resolve, why fan the flames of hatred?"

Flames of hatred? ROFL!!!

The problem is you are violating federal laws. Citizens want the law enforced! Where is the hate?