Amid fiery debate, Brockton pols put brakes on immigration ordinance
Marc Larocque Enterprise Staff Writer @Enterprise_Marc
Sep 12, 2016 at 7:44 PM Sep 13, 2016 at 6:28 PM
After months of bubbling tension on both sides of the debate, the Brockton City Council Ordinance Committee voted to postpone any action on the proposed Trust Act immigration ordinance. If implemented, the Trust Act would assure undocumented immigrants that Brockton police will not detain them on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless the federal agency produces a criminal warrant.
BROCKTON – On the left side of the room were immigrants and their advocates from Brockton, including several who lashed out by calling their opponents racist and xenophobic. On the right side of the room were angry city residents, including multiple hecklers who said that undocumented aliens are criminals and they should've come to this country the legal way.
After months of bubbling tension on both sides of the debate, the Brockton City Council Ordinance Committee voted on Monday night to postpone any action on the proposed Trust Act immigration ordinance. If implemented, the Trust Act would assure undocumented immigrants that Brockton police will not detain them on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless the federal agency produces a criminal warrant.
Some of the city's elected officials said that they were uneasy about the implications of the proposed ordinance on the community becoming viewed as a "sanctuary" for undocumented immigrants, and how that could negatively affect an already cash-strapped local school system, in addition to Brockton's relationship with the federal government and what the police department receives in law enforcement funding.
"The way I look at it, the way it's written ... no matter how you end up with it, you're still going to be tagged with that label, 'sanctuary city,' and that's what bothers me," said Ward 3 City Councilor Dennis Eaniri.
Ward 2 City Councilor Thomas Monahan, who leads the ordinance committee, said that the matter will be revisited in October or November after further review.
"There are two sides to this and we are going to make the best decision for all of us," said Ward 7 City Councilor Shirley Asack.
This story will be updated with additional information and commentary.