Dear Madam Mayor and Honorable Members of the Council,
I am writing to express my strong support for our immigrant friends and neighbors here in Santa Maria.
I’m disappointed in what’s happening to our immigrant communities and I fear for what our city is becoming. Those of us that opposed building an ICE facility right in our backyard dreaded the days we are experiencing now with ICE’s inhumane tactics and surprise abductions and kidnappings. In a city that’s over 70% Latino/Latina, it is ludicrous that ICE can go after anyone for the color of their skin and it’s outrageous that we are subjecting our residents, including small children I might add, to a life of fear and distrust…in their own community!
If we go back far enough we are ALL immigrants and Santa Maria especially has thrived and grown because of immigrants. Those being targeted are our friends, our neighbors, our community!
I feel our city is moving in the wrong direction. We should be embracing the diversity that has made up Santa Maria for generations and strive for a city that’s welcoming, supportive and works toward uplifting those that are our future.
Please, please do not delay in implementing Council Member Soto’s plan for creating something that will help to protect our citizens and to show them the city supports them! Your constituents are behind this! If you’ve even driven by any of the rallies held to denounce ICE’s tactics here in Santa Maria, you would’ve heard all of the honking in overwhelming support to stop ICE. I urge you to please, take preventative measures now that will help to ensure actions by ICE do not get more out of control as they have in Minnesota. I would think that is not what any of you would like to see in the news.
Thank you,
Kathy Sharum
Sent from my iPad