We, the undersigned, urge the city council members to bravely stand with all members of their community, regardless of their immigration status, and pass a local ordinance to declare Scranton a sanctuary city.

This ordinance would entail that no city official can inquire about or report an individual's immigration status. That no law enforcement officer can take police action with the primary objective of uncovering immigration status. That pre-trial detention will not be used to hold detainees based on their immigration status at the behest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

We call upon council members to act now, before the newly sworn-in President Donald Trump begins any action to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, as he promised in his campaign. We call upon council members to protect individuals from being sent back to destitute and even dangerous conditions in their countries of origin. We call upon council members to protect families from being torn apart--as so many children are afraid of as he takes power. 1 in 15 children in the United States are children of parents who are undocumented immigrants.

Most citizens of Scranton are second, third, and fourth generation Polish, Irish, and Italian Americans. These families immigrated to this area, leaving poor political and economic conditions, to find safety and work. These communities built businesses, formed churches, and brought new traditions while integrating into the existing culture. The living family members, such as those sitting on Scranton City Council, should remember that their grandparents and great-grandparents also faced bigotry and unjust laws targeting their peoples.

The current communities of immigrants and refugees have strengthened the city. They work, pay taxes, start businesses, increase cultural diversity while integrating into the community, form churches, and care about their neighborhoods and the city at large. Violent crime has not spiked as these communities have made Scranton their home.

Scranton should be safe for everyone, regardless of immigration status. People should not be targets of racial profiling. People contributing to the community should not have to live under the threat of being torn from their families every day. People should be able to report crime without fear that they will be deported.

Council members, democracy is built on challenging unjust laws and forming just ones. Stand with the growing number of sanctuary cities across the country, stand on the right side of history, and stand up for the civil liberties and human rights for all people living in Scranton!