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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0125.016 2024-2026P Mor-AC, R.e�.7�1-25 GOMM,125 Cuhs�Ftcvtioia.-�Q�mcu',i.o, . _.; Pa. d3enc, 317 0808-776-1601 ©808-938-8631 March 15, 2025 Dear Honorable Chair Kagiwada, Vice Chair Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, and Committee Members: -_ Mahalo for this opportunity to provide testimony on Resolution 74-25. 1 humbly urge the Council to defer action on Resolution 74-75 until such time actual agreements are provided for review and careful deliberation, and for this reason I strongly oppose the passage of Resolution 74-75. First, I want to acknowledge that our country or any nation has the right to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in our country or prior to arriving here. I also want to acknowledge the importance and necessity for our Hawai'I Police Department to continue their cooperation and agreements with our Federal and State partners for the safety of our County. BUT, BUT such agreements relating to immigration and customs enforcement should NOT be given carte blanche without first understanding what the agreement entails and who we are as people who truly value Aloha and Pono. The current administration has long used degrading language toward ALL immigrants, which dehumanizes and targets. From immigrants being'rapists' to'eating people's pets in Ohio,"' some of our current President's comments mirror language used by white supremacists, such as his claim that immigrants are "poisoning the blood" of the country. Adolf Hitler used the term "blood poisoning" in "Mein Kampf" to criticize the mixing of races. His derogatory comments are often targeted at nonwhite immigrants; in 2018, he referred to Haiti and African nations as "shithole countries." Folks have asked the President, `Please don't call them animals. They're humans.' His response, `No, they're not humans, they're not humans. They're animals. "' [ 2/24] The President frequently ties undocumented immigrants to a spike in crime. But data does not support a migrant -driven crime wave in America. There's no proof that there are "millions" of people from prisons and mental institutions coming into the country. Examples of the degrading of people by this administration are not values of Aloha or Pono. So, until such time let's not approve a Resolution that binds our Mayor and Police Department that furthers the current President's, who under the guise of immigrants entering our country are rapists, criminals, etc., they ALL be deported. And our people who work tirelessly to keep our local communities safe, may be asked to give in to "narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to ourmigrant and refugee brothers and sisters. " (Pope Francis, 2/10. /2025) Comm. o II& Ref. To: VI Ref. Date I a -Z4 Please do not sign a blank checkwith Resolution 74-25. 1 am genuinely confident that this Council will not expect our local police to take on federal immigrant enforcement that in many cases are inhumane and unjust but instead reflect the truest meaning of Aloha and Pono. With gratitude for your service to our County, Carol R. Igancio