Chants of “immigrant workers, Burque strong,” could be heard on the corner of 5th Street and Marquette Avenue Monday afternoon, as a group opposing a proposed amendment to the city’s immigrant friendly policy gathered ahead of the City Council meeting.
City Councilors are scheduled to vote on the proposal at their meeting tonight.
If passed and signed into law, the amendment will allow police to contact federal authorities if a noncitizen is charged with a violent felony, human trafficking or drug trafficking. Opponents of the bill say that it will create a two-tiered justice system and is based on racial profiling.
The bill was proposed May 6 by Councilors Brook Bassan and Renée Grout. In an interview with City Desk ABQ, Bassan said the amendment is designed to target “the worst of the worst.”
Council members Nichole Rogers, Tammy Fiebelkorn and Joaquín Baca attended the vigil.
(Roberto E. Rosales/ City Desk ABQ)
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