For Immediate Distribution: 27 December 2024

Longterm York immigrant residents described police harassment at bill hearing

YORK CITY, PA – CASA is deeply disappointed by Mayor Michael Helfrich’s decision to veto Bill No. 47, the “Welcoming and Access to Immigrants and Refugees” initiative. The bill, which passed the York City Council 3-2 last Tuesday, would have taken significant steps toward ensuring greater protections and opportunities for York’s immigrant and refugee communities. Now, the City Council has the opportunity to overturn the veto with the support of four council members.

“The mayor’s decision to not sign the TRUST Act is a disappointing blow not only to York’s immigrant families, but to an entire community who wants to feel safer knowing their neighbors can comfortably engage the police,” said Mirna Gonzalez, CASA’s Pennsylvania organizing director. “We remain hopeful and look to Councilmember Bupp to stand up and do the right thing as the bill heads back to the council. We know she will join the other council members in overturning the veto because she values the residents who call this city home. Together, we will protect the dignity and rights of all York families.”

The bill prohibits city employees from sharing information with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement without having a warrant. It also would have barred city workers from asking about immigration status during routine interactions, such as when victims report crimes, drivers are stopped for traffic violations, or parents enroll children in school. The council passed the bill in a 3-2 vote on December 16, 2024. At the bill hearing on December 17th, residents described instances of being handcuffed in front of their children for carrying a Mexican passport, being too scared to file a robbery report after a police officer accused the witness of being an “illegal” and being turned over to ICE after a traffic stop.

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With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 US states, CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. CASA creates change with its power building model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. www.wearecasa.org