The Chula Vista City Council on Tuesday listened to public testimony calling for “stronger language” on a resolution denouncing President Donald Trump’s administration policy of separating families who cross into the United States seeking asylum.
The council did not take a stand to support a draft resolution, holding off on deliberations and a vote until the next council meeting Tuesday, July 17.
If approved as it is written, the resolution “calls on the United States government to immediately reunite families separated at the U.S. border with Mexico, especially in cases where the family is exercising its right to apply for asylum, or in cases when the only offense committed is crossing the border illegally.”
The resolution would also direct Mayor Mary Casillas Salas to forward the resolution to U.S. representatives Susan Davis and Juan Vargas, U.S. senators Kamala Harris and Diane Feinstein, U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump.
The resolution was put forth by Councilwoman Pat Aguilar, saying although this was a federal policy, it affects Chula Vistans. Aguilar said 31 percent of the city’s residents are foreign born.
“It was my view that this was an issue that directly affected the residents of this city,” she said at the meeting.
Public speaker Rick Brahmaly said he applauded the city leaders’ effort in taking up a controversial federal issue but wants the city to make a statement.
“It is important that the wording of this resolution is strong and forceful as possible and made clear to the U.S. attorney general that his racist policies are not acceptable to most citizens of this county, state and country,” he said. “There is no time to pull punches or take a weak stand.”
Resident Nick Paul, 23, supported the resolution, however, he wanted the city to go one step further by not using words but by taking action in showing its care for the immigrant community by revisitng its contract with the U.S. Marshals in leasing the Chula Vista Jail to house federal inmates, some of them on immigration hold.
“I worry that we aren’t being consistent,” he said. “ We cannot claim to have the safety and well-being for our undocumented community at heart and still continue to make profit off of the incarceration of undocumented women in our jail.”
Casillas Salas agreed with the speakers that the separation of families is something that the country should not allow.
“This is a travesty that’s happening in our country,” she said from the dais. “And it’s been something that’s made me very ashamed of what’s going on.”
Of the 27 speakers, none spoke out against the resolution.
