Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Brook Bassan, Albuquerque City Councilor District 4 and Renee Grout, Albuquerque City Council District 9, announce a proposed amendment to the City’s Immigrant Friendly Policy aimed at keeping migrants safe, while assisting in the lawful apprehension of violent felons. The measure will be introduced at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 6, 2024.
“We’re discontinuing sanctuary cities for criminals who commit such offenses and have been allowed to hide from federal law enforcement due to the current policy,” said Councilor Bassan. “This bill continues to protect immigration while standing firm against criminality and increasing safety for all in our community.”
Resolution R-24-45 supports the equal treatment of all persons who live within the city and maintains that City resources shall not be used to assist in enforcing federal immigration law. The resolution clarifies that if any non-U.S. citizen is charged with a violent felony, human trafficking, or trafficking of controlled substances, Albuquerque Police will contact and cooperate with federal immigration authorities regarding that individual. Policies that shield criminals from accountability and allow them to remain in our communities threaten the safety of all residents of the City.
“Albuquerque is and will always be welcoming to immigrants. My own grandparents were immigrants,” said District 9 City Councilor Renee Grout. “But we need to make it clear that this city will not be a sanctuary for people who are charged with violent felonies, or those who traffic in drugs or human beings.”
The amendment to the City’s Immigrant Friendly Policy upholds the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic freedom for immigrants while prioritizing the need for public safety. Public safety benefits from cooperation between law enforcement authorities.
When local police and federal authorities share information, criminals and fugitives in the community can be identified, charged, and held accountable by the criminal justice process.
