Good Afternoon Mayor and City Councilmembers,
My name is Maria Salguero and I am submitting this public comment to address agenda item 15.b. from today's City Council Meeting. I am writing in my capacity as a City of Santa Maria District 1 resident and also in my capacity as Senior Attorney and Community Advocacy Lead for the Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC), a non-profit organization that provides immigration removal defense representation to members in our community.
I first want to thank the council members who are supportive and amenable to the creation of the Immigration Ad Hoc Committee. Your commitment to representing and bearing witness to the needs of immigrants, who are the fabric of the majority of Santa Marians, does not go unnoticed. We appreciate your willingness to learn and hear from community members and organizations who are skilled and knowledgeable on issues affecting immigrants.
And to the rest of the council, my invitation is simple: be curious. Curious to know what is happening in Santa Maria. Curious to know what Santa Marians are experiencing day-to- day. And curious to know what you can tangibly do to support those you were elected to represent.
In asking to create an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee, I am only asking you to be curious. I kindly ask you to vote "YES" is creating an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee.
All my best,
Maria D. Salguero, ESQ.