ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Dozens of people crammed into Allentown City Hall on Wednesday night to demand lawmakers pass a pro-immigrant measure at the start of a federal crackdown under new President Donald Trump.
Three hours later, supporters celebrated outside the room with pizza and hugs after persuading reluctant Allentown City Council members to unanimously back Bill 4.
“We need a guiding light so that when times get even messier, we know where we stand and we know what we can and cannot do."Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach
The bill codifies Allentown’s long-term practices of not using city resources to enforce federal immigration laws and providing services to all, regardless of immigration status, officials said Wednesday.
“This ordinance is not an attempt to become a sanctuary city,” bill co-sponsor Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach said.
“But this is an attempt to make sure that we’re not using our city resources that could be going to parks, playgrounds and public safety and enforcing federal immigration law.”
It also clarifies that city employees, including police, will not cooperate with federal immigration authorities unless ordered by a court.
Gerlach said she and Councilwoman Natalie Santos pushed for the bill to create a “framework” for the city to respond to potential issues with immigration authorities.
“We need a guiding light so that when times get even messier, we know where we stand and we know what we can and cannot do,” Gerlach said.
Concerns with Bill 4
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk on Wednesday credited the “tremendous number of advocates” in the room for pushing for the legislation.
People are “living with dread” about what could happen to undocumented family members and friends, Tuerk said.
He said some of his recently naturalized friends now “are walking around with their papers.”
But he said he opposed Bill 4 in its initial form because a provision would have required Allentown to turn over some authority over city policies to a nonprofit with “no obligation” to residents.
“But my primary concern about this bill is that I believe it creates a false sense of security for those we are trying to protect, the most vulnerable."Mayor Matt Tuerk
The bill sought to require Allentown to earn and maintain a three-star rating from Welcoming America, a move that could open up the city to potential litigation, according to council solicitor Maria Montero.
“But my primary concern about this bill is that I believe it creates a false sense of security for those we are trying to protect, the most vulnerable,” Tuerk said.
He said city officials can't stop the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “or any other federal agency from conducting operations in Allentown.”
He called on council to work with him to codify Allentown’s existing pro-immigrant policies through administrative policy, as set out in the city charter.
Tuerk said Allentown police and administrative officials do not ask for nor collect data about people's immigration status.
Dozens back measure
Bill 4 looked destined to fail for much of Wednesday night after four of seven council members voiced concerns at the start of a three-hour special meeting.
Councilman Ed Zucal warned his colleagues that federal authorities could charge officials who interfere with immigration investigations or restrict communication with them.
“It was the written word that chased away the devil. I urge you to please write it down, make it real; this law will protect the most vulnerable, and it might very well chase away the devil.”The Rev. Jon Stratton
Councilwoman Candida Affa said she thought approving the bill would “handcuff” Allentown police.
Council President Daryl Hendricks said he feared litigation over the city’s Welcoming America status, while Councilman Santo Napoli said he worried the Trump administration could target Allentown if members passed the welcoming-city measure.
Almost two hours later, Gerlach seemed to ease many of her colleagues’ concerns through minor tweaks to the bill’s language.
She changed the bill’s requirement to meet Welcoming City guidelines to a suggestion, bringing Tuerk and his administration on board with the legislation.
About 40 residents from across the Lehigh Valley then spoke on Wednesday night, almost all giving their full-throated support for Bill 4.
The Rev. Jon Stratton of Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem urged council members to codify protections for immigrants.
“It was the written word that chased away the devil,” Stratton said. “I urge you to please write it down, make it real. This law will protect the most vulnerable, and it might very well chase away the devil.”
Imam Daniel Hernandez of the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley urged Allentown City Council members to “be a voice for the vulnerable, for those who are in fear."
He likened Allentown’s diversity to the feathers of a peacock.
“The colorful feathers coexist, and that’s what makes the peacock beautiful,” Hernandez said. “Remove all the colors of the feathers of the peacock, and what would you have?”
'The power of the people'
Councilwoman Cynthia Mota, who immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic as a child, made an impassioned plea for her colleagues to back the bill.
“I know what it’s like to live in the shadows,” she said.
Mota said her 13-year-old daughter was afraid to go to school this week “because of the color of her skin,” while her 14-year-old son came up with an escape plan if immigration authorities go to their school.
“They don’t feel safe,” she said.
"The power of the people is f—-ing amazing."Community organizer Josie Lopez
Allentown is “lucky right now” that immigration raids aren’t happening “yet,” Mota said. She said some of her friends have started carrying their passports.
Community organizer Josie Lopez credited the dozens of people who packed into City Hall for changing council members’ minds to get the bill approved.
Lopez said she expected at least four council members to vote against it.
“If it wouldn't have been the people that showed up today to make the difference, this would not have happened,” Lopez said.
“If it wouldn’t have been for the [people] of the city of Allentown, city council today probably would have stood in favor of fascism.”
She told LehighValleyNews.com she texted Tuerk during the meeting to tell him he was losing votes from most of the people in the room Wednesday night.
“I told him, ‘Look around the room and see how many votes you're losing right now in this city,’” Lopez said. “Unfortunately, the only language that they speak is the language of votes.
"The power of the people is f—ing amazing," Lopez said.
