SOUTHERN DUTCHESS

Beacon declared 'welcoming, safe and inclusive' city

Geoffrey Wilson
Poughkeepsie Journal
Residents pack Beacon City Court during a City Council meeting Monday night. The council adopted a resolution declaring the city welcoming and inclusive.

In the City of Beacon, city officials and employees cannot interrogate or arrest someone based on their citizenship status, and will not help enforce federal immigration law.

Those provisions are among several aspects of a resolution declaring Beacon a “welcome, safe and inclusive city” and designed to help individuals living in the U.S. without legal permission. But while the resolution was passed by the city council by a unanimous vote, the language used in the resolution was meticulously debated, and it proved divisive among area residents who attended Monday's meeting.

Of 23 residents who spoke during two public comment sessions, 13 supported the resolution and 10 opposed it. Many in attendance wore red or blue to signify their stance on the issue.

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President Trump has signed two executive orders restricting travel and immigration from various countries, both of which were blocked by federal judges. In January, Trump passed an executive order to withhold federal funding from sanctuary jurisdictions.

While not in name, the resolution offers many of the same protections as designated sanctuary cities. The resolution itself makes no reference to the term "sanctuary city," and a motion by Ali Muhammad, 4th ward council member, to add the term to the resolution name failed, 4-2.

Peggy Ross, 1st ward council member, argued that the term "sanctuary city" implied that Beacon would provide food or shelter in some way, which the resolution does not call for. Muhammad, however, said that choosing not to use the term "whitewashed" the resolution.

Main Street in the City of Beacon.

Opponents challenged that the resolution was not a matter for the city council.

"What sort of benefit does this resolution have to protect our citizens or our police officers?" asked Joe Galbo, of Beacon.

However, some supporters criticized the resolution as well, saying the language used was diluted.

"I just wish people had more spine, and I wish people were not so afraid of what might happen if they take a stand," said Tina Bernstein, a Beacon resident.

The name of the resolution changed twice during Monday's meeting, from "a resolution declaring the City of Beacon a welcoming and inclusive city," to "a resolution furthering community safety," to "a resolution declaring the City of Beacon a welcoming, safe and inclusive community."

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Under the resolution, city officials and employees cannot "stop, question, interrogate, investigate or arrest" someone based on their immigration or citizenship status or a civil immigration warrant, administrative warrant or an immigration detainer.

Officials and employees cannot inquire about an individual's immigration or citizenship status unless necessary to investigate a criminal activity by that individual, nor can they engage in the enforcement of federal immigration law, the resolution said.

Local resources, including city funds and personnel, will not go to assist any federal program that would require registration based on "race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or national origin." This includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement programs.

City employees will also not request proof of immigration or citizenship status when providing services or benefits, unless receipt is contingent on that status.

The full resolution can be found online at the City of Beacon's website.

Beacon is the third area city to pass such a resolution since Trump was elected in November. Kingston passed a similar resolution in January, and Newburgh did the same in March.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW