Agenda Summary
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Reaffirming Somerville’s commitment as a Welcoming Community for justice, equity, and inclusion.
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Official Text
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville has a proud, longstanding history of welcoming and supporting generations of immigrants, dating back to its original Sanctuary City declaration in 1987, reaffirmed in 2016 and 2019, and has continually upheld values of equity, inclusion, and support for all community members; and
WHEREAS: The national political climate remains increasingly hostile toward immigrants and refugees, and the recent return of the former President to the White House brings heightened risks for immigrant communities across the country, including in Somerville; and
WHEREAS: Somerville’s guiding document, SomerVision 2040, states that “putting equity at the core of our policies is how we live up to our ideals and ensure our community remains safe, vibrant, and supportive of all,” a vision that we uphold with a commitment to protecting our immigrant neighbors and fostering an inclusive environment for everyone; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council hereby reaffirms its commitment as a Welcoming Community, vowing to protect the safety, dignity, and rights of immigrants, migrants, asylum seekers, asylees, and refugees residing in Somerville; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council pledges continued support and funding for the Office of Immigrant Affairs, empowering it to advocate for and support immigrants, provide resources, and foster a welcoming environment in our community; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council commits to maintaining and funding the Immigrant Legal Services Stabilization Fund to provide legal representation to residents facing deportation or removal, and to secure legal guidance through this fund as needed for our constituents; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council requests that no city department apply for or accept federal funds that require gathering or sharing information regarding the national origin, immigration, or citizenship status of employees, students, or residents for the purpose of targeting or deportation, to further the city’s Welcoming Community Ordinance commitment to non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement on these matters; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council requests that all city services, benefits, and programs remain accessible to all residents, irrespective of any person’s national origin, citizenship, or immigration status, and that the city continue providing timely and culturally competent language access services to ensure inclusivity across all departments; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council requests that city employees receive training and resources to uphold equal access to city facilities, services, and programming, building a supportive environment for all residents; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council calls upon the Administration to partner with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to secure justice for victims of hate crimes, and with local organizations to support families affected by federal immigration policies, including providing kinship placements for children where appropriate; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council calls upon the Administration and Middlesex District Attorney to strongly advocate for schools, hospitals, places of worship, and courthouses to be recognized as “sensitive locations,” safe from federal immigration enforcement actions, to ensure the fair and compassionate administration of justice; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council calls upon the Somerville Police Department to reaffirms its commitment to not cooperate with external law enforcement agencies on matters related to immigration detainment as set forth in the City of Somerville’s Ordinance No. 2019-14, Welcoming Community Ordinance; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council calls upon the Mayor of Somerville to communicate the city’s Sanctuary City principles and available resources to all city departments, boards, commissions, and community organizations working with immigrant populations; Somerville also invites neighboring cities in Massachusetts to reaffirm their commitment to serving and protecting their immigrant communities, joining in solidarity to safeguard residents' rights and safety; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council also invites neighboring municipalities in Massachusetts to reaffirm their commitment to serving and protecting their immigrant communities, joining in solidarity to safeguard residents' rights and safety; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That regardless of external pressures or challenges faced by sanctuary cities, the Somerville City Council remains committed to its values of inclusion, equity, and justice, and will not waver in supporting our immigrant neighbors, who are integral to the strength and diversity of our community.