Item 9: Statement of Concern Regarding ICE DRAFT — original pdf

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement Concerns DRAFT STATEMENT The Immigrant Affairs Commission of the City of Austin unequivocally condemns the recent actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE in this city, state, and country. Austin is a city that allegedly prides itself on being rooted in community. The City Charter itself reflects these values, declaring: “We the citizens of Austin, in reverence to the dignity and the enrichment of all people, do ordain and establish this Charter to assure economic, environmental, and cultural prosperity throughout our community.” Yet the continued presence and aggressive tactics of ICE in our city stand in direct conflict with Austin’s stated values. Such actions do not enrich all people, nor do they assure prosperity throughout our community. Instead, ICE’s approach to immigration enforcement has fostered fear in neighborhoods, separated families, and discouraged immigrant residents from accessing housing, schools, healthcare, and public safety services. When people are afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or send their children to school, the entire community becomes less safe. Texas as a whole is home to the second-largest immigrant population in the United States, with approximately 5.1 million foreign-born residents. These numbers reflect a fundamental truth: immigrants are not outsiders to our community. They are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and family members. Austin should be a place where everyone, regardless of immigration status, can live with dignity. Everyone in this city should be able to trust local institutions. Achieving that vision requires drawing a clear line between local government and federal immigration enforcement. Texas calls itself the state of friendship, yet hostility toward immigrant communities does not reflect that ideal. We call on city leaders to limit cooperation with ICE, strengthen sanctuary policies, and reaffirm that in Austin, belonging is not conditioned upon paperwork. But, upon our shared humanity.