City of Melrose Resolution for Condemning Inhumane and Damaging Actions by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement against Immigrants

Transcript (~9 min @ 10:12)

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▶ 10:11 Speaker 4: Uh, on discussion? Seeing none, um, entertain a motion to place on file.

▶ 10:20 Speaker 7: I'll make a motion to place on file.

▶ 10:23 Speaker 4: Second Motion to place on file made by Councilor Carrum Shady. Second by Councillor Romanul on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That order is now placed on file.

▶ 10:37 Speaker 2: Okay. Id number 1, 2 5 9 5 City of Melrose resolution

▶ 10:40 Speaker 1: for condemning, inhumane and damaging actions by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement against immigrants. Sponsored by, sponsored by

▶ 10:51 Speaker 1: at large, Maya Jamine, counselor Maya Jamine and supported by Ward five, counselor Kimberly Vandiver.

▶ 11:02 Speaker 5: Councilor Jamal Ledine.

▶ 11:04 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you, Madame Clerk. Thank you. Um, uh, Madame President. Um, motion for, sorry.

▶ 11:09 Speaker 5: Immediate consideration before we go,

▶ 11:12 Speaker 8: I would like to, I would like to, uh, make a motion

▶ 11:14 Maya Jamaleddine: for immediate consideration.

▶ 11:17 Speaker 8: Okay.

▶ 11:18 Speaker 4: Any objections? Nope. So, uh, resolutions before us? No, thank you.

▶ 11:24 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you. Um, again, um, I do hope that this resolution as well as the pre previous resolution, um, uh, don't, uh, go on file and as a performative as much as, uh, people will take it as a call for action. Um, this last week and, um, thousands and, and 10 thousands, uh, uh, of, um, people, um, you know, gathered to protesting on, uh, what's happening in our country and under our name. And, um, and hopefully, uh, this would be, um, you know, I I wanted to use our platform to, um, uh, call on our, uh, representative and senators to take an action and, uh, actually put more pressure to, uh, stop, uh, what's happening and, uh, the, you know, the embarrassment that's happening in our name and on, uh, in our country. Uh, and for that, I would read the resolution.

▶ 12:29 Maya Jamaleddine: Um, so resolution, condemning, inhumane and damaging action by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE against immigrants.

▶ 12:40 Maya Jamaleddine: Um, this, uh, resolution is introduced and co-sponsored by myself and, um, uh, my colleague, counselor, uh, Kimberly Vandiver. I would like to thank her for, um, uh, working, uh, and collaborating with me, uh, whereas the City of Melrose is committed to upholding the principles of justice, dignity, and human rights for all individuals regardless of immigration status. And whereas immigrants are an integral part of the United States contributing to its economy, culture, and society as essential workers, business owners, educators, healthcare professionals and innovators. And whereas recent reports from communities across Massachusetts and beyond have exposed alarming actions by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE agents, including targeting, uh, immigrants without due process, failing to identify themselves wearing masks to conceal their identities and unlawfully detaining individuals without ju judicial, uh, authorization. And whereas these actions not only cause irreparable harm to individual and families, but also contribute to international distress damaging the United States reput reputation and straining diplomatic, uh, relations with countries who citizens are subjected to unjust treatment and deportation. And whereas Za Oster, a Muslim student, was unlawfully detained by ICE in a blatant act of religions, uh, and racial profiling, reflecting a disturbing trend of targeted abductions and deportations against Muslim and immigrant, uh, immigrant communities. This mirror broader, uh, efforts to instill fear among vulnerable populations. And whereas Pral Reyes Mota events asylum seeker with no criminal record was detained under an ice arrest order, riddled with errors illegally removed from the court system and deported to the Terrorism Terrorism confinement Center in El Salvador, one of the most rou prisons in the world. Whereas, uh, whereabouts and wellbeing remain unknown. And whereas the forced removal of individuals like Za Aus IL and Frankel Res Mota illustrate the inhumane and reckless nature of these rates as families are torn apart with no notice or information regarding their loved ones whereabouts. And whereas such actions undermine the United States standing as global advocate for human rights, drawing international criticism, and weakening diplomatic ties with Alli National that condemn these practices as violations of basic human dignity. And whereas, um, as former US Secretary of Labor, Elaine Kyle once stated, immigrants are the workers, the innovators, the entrepreneurs, and the dreamers who continue to shape and strengthen our country, the United States has long relied on immigrants for its progress, and policies that criminalize their existence are contrary to our ideals and undermine our aspirations for the future. And whereas the city of Merose has previously affirmed its commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive community, that pr that rejects policies of fear and discrimination now therefore be it resolved that the Marrow City Council formerly denounces the recent inhumane and damaging actions of ICE in targeting, detaining and deporting immigrants under unlawful and deceptive practices. And be it further resolved that the mes that the City of mes urges state and federal leaders to take immediate action to investigate and prevent these unjust enforcement tactics and to uphold the civil rights and dignity of all individuals and be further resolved that the city of Melrose reaffirms its unwavering supports for immigrant rights and calls upon local, state, and national policy makers to advance human immigration policies rooted in justice, fairness, and respect for all, and be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to US Senator Elizabeth Warren and US Senator Ed Marque, urging them to take immediate action to address these human rights violations, assess the international consequences of these enforcement actions and hold eyes accountable for its reckless and harmful practices. Thank you, Madame President. And, um, I do, uh, wanted to invite my colleagues, uh, to support me on this, um, resolution. And if not, I would like to get, um, explanation of why they wouldn't support such a resolution that supports human rights and advocate for human rights in the United States. Um, and I would like to give the floor for my co-sponsor and my colleague Kim. Um,

▶ 17:53 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you. Um, I, for me, this is a very simple issue. It's about affirming our support for human rights and dignity. Um, this is a small part that we can play to, um, to, to affirm this here and to ask our senators to take an action. Um, we, we can't look away and normalize abuses of power. Um, and you know, I, I think every meeting, you know, we go through the motion 15 minutes ago we all said liberty and justice for all. And that's what, that's what this is about. Thank you.

▶ 18:28 Speaker 9: Thank you. Um,

▶ 18:31 Speaker 4: any other counselors on discussion or discussion? After a motion, I'll

▶ 18:39 Maya Jamaleddine: entertain a motion. I would like To make a motion to place on file Second. Motion

▶ 18:44 Speaker 4: to place on file made by Councilor Jamine, seconded by Councilor Crime Chaney, on discussion, see? None. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed?

▶ 18:59 Speaker 10: Any abstain? Present, present. Present.

▶ 19:04 Speaker 4: All right. Um, Madam Clerk,

▶ 19:09 Speaker 5: Uh, was that Just all in favor? Three. Present. Okay. So

▶ 19:14 Speaker 2: Fair.