Mayor Keller Stands Up for Albuquerque Families, Signs Immigrant Friendly Resolution
Albuquerque, N.M – On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, Mayor Tim Keller invited members of the immigrant community to his office as he signed a resolution reaffirming Albuquerque as an immigrant friendly city. The resolution is part of Mayor Keller’s commitment to stand up for all families in the city, restore trust between the community and city law enforcement, and reaffirm the commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“We are one city regardless of where you came from or what your background is,” stated Mayor Keller. “We will not allow our community to be divided, that’s not what Albuquerque stands for. Everyone in our city should be able to report crime or take their kids to the neighborhood park or library without fear of having their family torn apart.”
The resolution, sponsored by City Councilors Pat Davis and Klarissa Peña, passed the City Council by a 6-3 vote. The resolution reiterates the city’s policies that prevent federal immigration officials from entering city-operated areas, restrict city employees from collecting immigration status information, and prohibit local tax dollars from being spent on federal immigration law enforcement.
“In order for Trump to carry out his terrifying vision of mass deportation, his administration is trying to strong-arm local governments into assisting in the enforcement of federal deportation programs. This resolution will ensure that the City of Albuquerque isn’t complicit in implementing Trump’s plan to target, detain, and deport our Albuquerque families,” said Rachel LaZar, Executive Director of El Centro De Igualdad y Derechos. “It is also conducive to public safety, safeguards civil rights, and builds on Albuquerque’s legacy of passing policies to integrate immigrants into the economic, cultural, and civic fiber of the City. The resolution recognizes that immigrants are our neighbors, co-workers, classmates, small-business owners down the block, taxpayers, and our family members. Todos somos Albuquerque.”
“This resolution reaffirms what law enforcement is already doing. We will continue working to increase public safety by going after criminals, and ensuring families can trust law enforcement to respond to crimes no matter their immigration status,” stated Gilbert Gallegos, Director of Communications and Community Outreach for the Albuquerque Police Department.
The City Attorney also stated at City Council hearings that the policy does not put federal funds at risk.
Mayor Keller has a long history of standing up for Albuquerque’s families. As State Senator for Albuquerque’s International District, he championed one of the most diverse areas of the city, and worked to make sure community policing methods built trust in the culturally diverse area of the city. As Auditor, Tim Keller advocated against threats to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.