Columbia Heights has issued a statement in response to ongoing immigration enforcement in the city, saying that the council, Mayor Amada Marquez Simula, first responders and city staff had received calls, emails and messages about the presence of immigration officers in the city.
“We have seen the trauma,” the statement read. “We have seen the fear in our community’s eyes. We have heard from seniors, students and families. We have met with business owners, school board members and neighbors who have experienced these harms firsthand. We have been present. We have listened. And we believe our community.”
The statement said that residents had reported agents refusing to show warrants, ignoring due process and harassing residents and business owners. It added that public spaces belonged to the people of Columbia Heights.
“Our immigrant neighbors are not strangers,” the statement read. “They are our friends, coworkers, classmates and loved ones. You belong here.”
The police department for the city does not enforce immigration laws, nor does it ask about immigration status, per the post.
“We are asking federal immigration agents to remove themselves from our public spaces and stop actions that are harming our community,” the city stated. “We believe this is morally wrong.”