A proposed ordinance to protect undocumented immigrants in Newton was advanced overwhelmingly by two City Council committees Wednesday night.
But there was still plenty of opposition, including from resident Margo Einstein, who says she welcomes immigrants to Newton - but only if they come legally.
“All of us have parents, grandparents, great-grandparents who came over, and worked very, very hard,” Einstein said. “The minute you become illegal and everybody accepts you as illegal, they’re saying it’s okay to break the law...and you’re breaking the word of the Constitution.”
But those in favor, including resident Shira Diner, say the ordinance will protect undocumented immigrants from enforcement, and allay their fears of being deported. She adds that the protections will actually make the community safer, because it will allow immigrants to feel more comfortable letting police know when they are witnesses to or victims of crimes.
“Without an ordinance like this, what you have is a whole community of people who are in fear of the police...because police are ones who could turn them in, and lead to their ultimate deportation,” said Diner.
Other nearby cities are also solidifying their sanctuary city statuses. Brookline reconfirmed itself as a sanctuary city Thursday, and Somerville celebrated 30 years as a sanctuary city on Feb. 4.
The full City Council will vote on the ordinance at its February 24th meeting.
