HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0125.012 2024-2026P / G05AC,
Rb. 74-25
GOMM I lZ
From: Hattie Gerrish
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2025 9:24 PM i
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Opposition to Reso, 74-25
Aloha members of the Council,
I am testifying in opposition to Resolution 74-25.1 am a lifelong resident of the County of Hawai' 1, and
do not believe that diverting our county law enforcement resources to assist Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) activities will benefit our communities. Reasons for opposition include:
1. The resolution lacks adequate detail and is missing supporting documents referenced in the
resolution. The county has failed to inform the public of the content of the proposed agreement in a
transparent and timely manner. It is essential that the public understand the content of the proposed
agreement and be allowed adequate time to respond.
2. The Legislature is currently considering several bills relevant to immigration enforcement and the level
of cooperation with ICE. Resolution 74-25 should be postponed to allow the Legislature to come to a
decision on the matter. Otherwise the County's agreement, if approved, could potentially come in
conflict with state law.
3. 1 believe there is a large body of evidence that involving local law enforcement officers with ICE's
immigration enforcement activities is detrimental to public health and safety. Not only does it
discourage undocumented people from reporting crimes and cooperating with police, it would also
divert limited County personnel and resources that are needed to keep our residents safe.
4. Involving local law enforcement with ICE activity fosters a culture of fear that I do not want for our
communities. There is abundant evidence that the Trump Administration's prioritization of deporting
undocumented people is motivated by racial bigotry. Such policy, which has already led to cruel and
dehumanizing treatment of people who have committed no crimes while residing in the country, is
antithetical to our diverse and close knit culture here and not what I want for our communities. I am
extremely concerned about persecution and mistreatment of people based on their perceived ethnicity,
which is not just racist but is already causing civil rights violations of citizens and legal residents who are
targeted by racial profiling and harassment. I think that hunting down and deporting law-abiding people
who are already part of the fabric of our communities, our neighbors, our students, our co-workers and
employees, should be the very lowest enforcement priority and should not be supported with County
resources in any way.
Mahalo for your consideration of this important matter.
Hattie Gerrish
PO Box 91
Paauilo HI
96776
Comm. o
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