EASTON, Pa. — An Easton councilwoman is aiming to push a city pro-immigrant ordinance just after Allentown passed a similar measure with a wave of support from the city’s citizens.
On Thursday, Taiba Sultana released an ordinance “recommending that the city achieve and uphold a welcoming city designation and strive for a minimum rating of three stars from Welcoming America.”
The ordinance also sets immigrant protection policies into law.
“Although the city of Easton has a history of supporting immigrants by passing a resolution it’s important to recommit our support by passing an office ordinance.”Taiba Sultana
Beyond solidifying a stance to protect immigrants within the city, the ordinance also urges city council to promote similar practices to other local governments and allow for the annulment of conflicting regulations.
The ordinance is intended to be included in the upcoming Feb. 12 council agenda.
“Although the city of Easton has a history of supporting immigrants by passing a resolution it’s important to recommit our support by passing an office ordinance,” Sultana stated in an email.
The ordinance essentially bars the city from using its resources to enforce federal immigration law, much like the bill that passed through Allentown City Council on Wednesday.
Even with that bill, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and other officials had technical issues with the legislation.
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the Easton bill is almost certain to draw both impassioned support and opposition, as seen in Allentown this week.
Already, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. has expressed opposition, saying he does not want to see Easton become a sanctuary city, citing existing policy that offers some protection to immigrants.
Easton’s ordinance
The ordinance begins with a goal for the city to achieve a three-star rating under the nonprofit organization Welcoming America’s Certified Welcoming Standard 2.0 by 2025.
It aims for higher ratings to promote and ensure equitable rights and services for immigrants.
That element was a point of contention for Allentown City Council on Wednesday, with council solicitor Maria Montero showing concern that it could open up the city to litigation.
Language throughout the proposed legislation bars city officials, including police, from targeting individuals based on their immigration status, unless required by federal regulations.
It also sets a standard by which city officials are not to assist federal agents, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with measures aimed at searching for or investigating illegal immigrants, again, unless required by federal standards.
Language addressing information-gathering suggests that anything appearing on a government form requesting immigration status should be eliminated, likely in order to prevent sharing that information with federal agents.
'We already have a policy'
Panto expressed concerns over Sultana’s ordinance Thursday night, adding that she should have been aware of existing policies made redundant by her bill.
“We already have a policy on it, and our police department is following that policy.”Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
“We already have a policy on it, and our police department is following that policy,” Panto said.
“And I think the first thing she should have done was call the police chief and find out what the policy is, because I think what she’s doing is similar to our police.
"Our policies are simple: We don’t go after immigrants. If we arrest an immigrant, if they’re doing an unlawful act, we take them to central booking, and if they can’t produce a Social Security number or something that shows they’re a citizen, then central booking calls up ICE and has them dealt with.”
Panto added, “I don’t believe we should be a sanctuary city.”
Sultana’s proposal does not expressly demand such a thing, but the language shares characteristics with a sanctuary city.
Sultana did not immediately respond Thursday night to the ordinance and the mayor’s reaction.
