Human Rights Commission To Consider Decision On Sanctuary City Proposal
By Beth Milligan | July 11, 2017
An ad hoc committee of the Traverse City Human Rights Commission tasked with studying the possibility of declaring Traverse City a sanctuary city could reach a decision on the proposal as soon as tonight (Tuesday).
Committee members will meet at 5:30pm at the Governmental Center to discuss the issue. The Human Rights Commission has been reviewing the possibility of Traverse City becoming a sanctuary city for more than two months after several residents approached city staff to inquire whether it was a possibility.
“We tackled the issue only because some people in Traverse City asked about it, and it was a legitimate question from the citizens of the community,” says Isiah Smith, who’s chairing the ad hoc committee. “Because it’s been a big issue nationally, it was a logical question and we needed to respond. We didn’t really have a choice.”
Ad hoc members were charged with making a recommendation to the entire Human Rights Commission on a potential sanctuary city policy, which – if approved by the board – would then go to city commissioners for review. After studying the issue and hearing public input, Smith plans to put forward a resolution tonight that affirms support for immigration and diversity in Traverse City but stops short of declaring Traverse City a sanctuary city.
“Now therefore be it resolved,” reads the draft resolution, “that the Human Rights Commission recommends that the Traverse City mayor and commissioners issue a statement asserting that while it is not necessary for the city to declare itself a sanctuary city, the city nonetheless will continue to support immigration and the rights of all residents.”
The resolution further states that the Human Rights Commission encourages city commissioners “to explore ways to promote and protect the rights of the city’s migrant population” and to endorse “the idea that Traverse City can more fully promote diversity (and) legal immigration by continuing to adopt and promote tolerance by respecting the rights of all residents.”
Smith says he wrote the resolution after talking with local authorities about the sanctuary city proposal. His draft states that the Human Rights Commission “has been advised by local officials of competent jurisdiction that Traverse City does not appear to be a destination for undocumented immigrants” and that “local authorities have seldom had any official involvement with illegal immigrants within the city.” Smith says that appears “to be different than the experiences in those cities that have declared themselves sanctuary cities.”
“There’s not an issue with undocumented immigrants in Traverse City, so doing a cost-benefit analysis, who would the designation benefit?” says Smith. “If there’s not an issue, it would be symbolic. And symbols can be expensive, especially when we have a lot of discontent around this issue by the citizens here.”
Smith is referencing protests and packed meeting rooms filled with sanctuary city opponents that have accompanied the commission’s review of the proposal. Both Smith and Human Rights Commission Chair Taylor Nash say the backlash caught board members off guard, particularly at a heated May 31 public hearing.
“We were taken aback at the furor and fury and fears of the counter-arguments,” says Smith. “It was a raucous meeting. It was shocking.” Nash agrees: “We’ve never gotten this kind of attention before,” he says. “I don’t think any of us were quite prepared for the level of attention it’s gotten.”
Nash declined to say whether he will support Smith’s proposal tonight, saying he wants to have a full discussion with his fellow committee members first. But he says he’s heard enough feedback and studied the issue enough to feel comfortable moving forward with a recommendation.
“Certainly the public opinion is important, and how this decision might impact the dynamic of our community is really important,” he says. “That’s certainly something I take into consideration when I’m thinking through an issue. But our business isn’t necessarily to promote the majority opinion. Our charge is to positively impact human rights, and there are many cases historically where that doesn’t reflect the majority opinion. Community input is valuable and an important part of the process, but it’s not the only consideration.”
If ad hoc committee members vote on a resolution tonight, their recommendation will go to the full Human Rights Commission at the board’s August 14 meeting for approval. The resolution will then advance to the city commission.
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