Immigrant defenders ask leaders to establish “Utah’s tradition of welcoming immigrants and refugees” – ksl.com

Salt Lake City – NAACP, several immigration attorneys in Utah and a group leader who is advocating for refugees, embarks on the debate on illegal immigration.

In an open letter, signed by Janet Williams, President of the NAACP Salt Lake Branch, President of the Refugee League League Norman McKellar and 12 others, they ask the government Spencer Cox and other elected leaders to “establish the long -standing tradition of Utah to welcome imigrants And the refugees. “Williams released the letter on January 30 to the media on Thursday.

The letter puts a particular focus on preventing family separation, as President Donald Trump promises to strengthen efforts to pursue and deport immigrants here illegally, mainly criminal immigrants. Trump’s various enforcement orders aimed at more aggressively addressing illegal immigration caused fear in the immigrant community.

“We ask you to speak forcibly and do everything that is within your power to change this dynamic and to clarify that the citizens of Utah and the selected employees forcibly oppose any effort to destroy Utah’s families with unjustified deportations. Western They hope that federal officials will also not go far or in any way will go to a “balanced” approach is not enough, “the letter said.

Cox, for his part, expressed strong support for Trump’s plans to pursue immigrants here illegally who have committed crimes and said he would cooperate with the president and his administration. However, Utah has no requirement to copy the federal government when addressing the immigration issue, McKellar told KSL.com.

“Utah does not have to handle the same way. They do not need to observe these new enforcement orders that are descending. They do not need to allow local law enforcement authorities to unite with the federal government and take resources away from our real problems yes We also go to serve the president’s agenda, “he said. Repeats from the refugee Justice League, a advocacy group, are worried about an attack of discriminatory activity against refugees with Trump back to service.

Others have signed the letter included Corey Hodges, a leading pastor at the Church of Point in Salt Lake City, called the “multicultural community”, the association of minorities in Utah and several lawyers.

The letter asks Cox and other selected employees in Utah to do their best to limit efforts to deport immigrants here illegally who have committed crimes. They are seeking assurances that “non -crime -unique citizens will not be the subject of immigration and family separation raids.” They also ask Utah’s employees to squeeze federal leaders to cancel Trump’s decisions to stop the entry of new refugees and the opening of schools, hospitals and churches to the raids of immigration.

Trump and his supporters support that immigrants here illegally drain public resources and pose a threat to public safety. In contrast, the letter focuses on the contribution of immigrants and refugees over the years in Utah. “Today, immigrants make up a considerable part of our workforce, contribute to our economy and enrich our culture. These individuals are our neighbors, colleagues and friends and they deserve our protection and support, not fear, discrimination or displacement,” a letter said.