Schenectady has long been a place that welcomes immigrants. The diversity, culture, and values brought to our community by immigrants is an essential part of what makes Schenectady a great place to live.

The President, Donald Trump, has voiced numerous untrue stereotypes of immigrants, stoked fear and xenophobia, and used immigrants as scapegoats for structural economic problems. He has pledged to deport between 2-3 million immigrants, rescind executive orders that have provided deportation relief for tens of thousands of immigrants brought here as children, proposed a blanket ban on Muslim immigration into the country, as well as a Muslim registry.

These policies are inhumane, unjust, and create fear amongst our neighbors and friends. They drive vulnerable people into the shadows, and they harm our communities. We reject the criminalization of immigrants, refugees, and Muslims. We reject the fear and xenophobia that is inherent in these policies.

We know that the assumptions and stereotypes that the President bases these proposals on are universally false. In fact:

• Immigrants spur economic growth in their communities, which creates jobs and opportunity for all. [1][2]
• It is estimated that undocumented immigrants in the US pay about $7 billion dollars in taxes that support services and programs from which they can never collect. [2]

However, far more important than all of these facts, is that the criminalization and xenophobia inherent in the President’s proposals are affronts to our values. We affirm in no uncertain terms the value and dignity of ALL members of our communities, regardless of their country of origin, religious beliefs and practices, or immigration status.

We are calling on you, our elected officials and law enforcement leadership, to join with us in rejecting the harmful rhetoric and policy proposals of the President. We want you to show that Schenectady is committed to protecting and supporting its immigrant communities and delivering non-discriminatory services to all of its residents. We urge you to declare Schenectady a place of Sanctuary. Specifically, we ask you to do the following:

1. State publicly that you reject the President’s statements and characterization of immigrants, refugees, and Muslims as criminal and suspect, and that you welcome and value them as parts of our community.
2. State publicly and enforce through legislation and policy that our city and county law enforcement will not collaborate with federal immigration law enforcement (i.e. ICE, Border Patrol, etc.) to arrest or detain immigrants.
3. State publicly that, should a registry of Muslims or immigrants of any kind be implemented by the Federal Government, that the City and County will refuse to comply.

The City of Schenectady must ensure protection and support for everyone regardless of their zip code, race, or immigration status. We trust that in this time of hatred and threats that you will do the right thing, and protect and defend our communities to the best of your abilities. Thank you.

1. Fiscal Policy Institute, “Immigrant ‘Main Street’ Business Owners Playing an Outsized Role”, Jan 14, 2015 - Accessed Nov 22, 2016 http://fiscalpolicy.org/immigrant-main-street-business-owners-playing-an-outsized-role
2. Economic Policy Institute, “Facts About Immigration and the U.S. Economy”, Aug 12, 2014 - Accessed Nov 22, 2016 http://www.epi.org/publication/immigration-facts/