Activists who previously opposed permitting a detention center to be built in Gary and who also protest use of the city's airport to for deportations are urging the Common Council to approve an ordinance declaring the city a "welcoming city" for people who are in the U.S. illegally.
Some activists who previously had protested the other two issues in Gary were at City Hall to express their support Wednesday for an ordinance proposed by Councilwoman Rebecca Wyatt, D-1st, that says Gary officials would not automatically allow their law enforcement personnel to be used by federal immigration officials to search for suspected violators.
Ruth Needleman, a retired professor of labor studies at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, said she thinks the city would benefit as a community by expressing support for people not born in this country but who are trying to establish a life here.
"If people are afraid of dealing with the police, it creates more tensions," she said. "All of us are better off if we feel a sense of cooperation with our police."
Wyatt's ordinance was assigned to the council's public safety committee for further review. A hearing was scheduled for 6 p.m May 9.
The ordinance differs from measures enacted in cities such as Chicago or West Lafayette that declared themselves to be "sanctuary cities." In those places, police are restricted from providing any information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Under "welcoming cities," a local official reviews each request by immigration officials for information to determine if providing it would put someone at risk of deportation.
President Donald J. Trump has threatened to cut off federal funding to cities that refuse cooperation with immigration, although a federal judge in San Francisco has issued an order restraining the government from taking punitive actions for now.
Needleman, who was permitted to speak to the Common Council at the request of Councilwoman Ragen Hatcher, D-At large, said she was pleased with that ruling.
"The attempt by the federal government to scapegoat certain communities has been struck down by the courts," she said.
Gregory Tejeda is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.