Newburgh City Democrats Endorse Sanctuary City Law

By Lisa Daily, Chair, On behalf of the City of Newburgh Democratic Committee

NEWBURGH – On March 7, the City of Newburgh Democratic Committee passed a resolution urging the Newburgh City Council to enact the Fair and Welcoming City Resolution (sometimes called the Sanctuary City law).  The vote of the Democratic Committee was unanimous.

The Democratic Committee urged the Council to pass the Fair and Welcoming City Resolution for these reasons:

1) We embrace the cultural and ethnic diversity of the City of Newburgh, and many of our people from Latino and Caribbean communities, and from Muslim, Sikh and other communities, are currently at risk and living in fear of raids by ICE and other federal authorities;

2) This fear has reduced public safety, by discouraging residents from reporting crimes, volunteering evidence, or otherwise interacting with the police;

3) This fear has harmed public health, by preventing people from seeking medical attention;

4) This fear has harmed the education of the young, by causing parents to refrain from sending children to school;

5) This fear has harmed our economy, by forcing people to remain inside rather than shop at stores and visit restaurants.

Many of our people are feeling alienated and abandoned.  By passing this resolution, the City of Newburgh will affirm that it welcomes and values all its many and diverse peoples; and that it will do everything in its power to protect them from illegal and unwarranted outside interference in their lives. It assures them that they need not live in fear.