Tuesday’s Phoenix City Council study session to work on plans in case of ramped-up federal immigration enforcement was hijacked by pro-immigrant protesters.
Phoenix leaders also voted to draft an ordinance for how to respond if authorities target the city for a crackdown like in Minneapolis.
City staff have 45 days to come up with a framework for investigating allegations of crimes by federal immigration authorities. They also need a plan to collect data on how city services are affected by a dragnet, and training for city employees on how to handle warrants.
Mayor Kate Gallego cited an incident during the recent raids of Zipps Sports Grills.
“At 32nd Street and Shea (Boulevard), ICE agents pepper sprayed protesters with no cause whatsoever. That appears to be assault,” Gallego said.
Tuesday’s meeting abruptly ended after about 30 minutes.
Council members were starting to discuss the ordinance being called a transparency initiative when pro-immigrant protesters interrupted.
-
The Department of Justice filed suit against Arizona's law at the end of August. Legal filings against the remaining laws — in Hawaii, D.C., Arkansas and Utah — were filed this month, bringing the total number of tuition-related suits to 25. -
More than 30,000 refugees, asylees and other legally present immigrants in Arizona could lose health coverage in a few weeks as new Medicaid eligibility rules take effect. -
More than two decades ago, the 9/11 terror attacks touched every aspect of life in America — including for newcomers, who were in the midst of immigration processes, like seeking U.S. citizenship. -
The class consists of about 30 immigrants protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. -
The group says that’s in response to comments from Trump administration officials like Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin — who told reporters earlier this month that ICE isn’t planning operations targeting polling locations, but that agents could be sent to address a "specific threats."
