HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0125.037 2024-2026From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 11:57 AM
Council Testimony
Alameda, Christian (Kimo); Inaba, Holeka; Onishi, Dennis; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada,
Jennifer, Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Galimba, Michelle M.; Villegas, Rebecca; Kanealii-
Kleinfelder, Matt: Hustace. James
Opposition to Res. 74-25
Aloha Council Members and Mayor Alameda,
My name is Shantee Brown. I'm a resident of Kailua-Kona and I'm writing in opposition to Res 74-25 for the
following reasons:
The federal government's war against immigrants does not align with HPD's mission to preserve the spirit of
aloha, enforce laws, preserve peace, and provide a safe environment. Undocumented residents are already
apprehended for alleged crimes, as needed. Criminalization of immigration civil offenses will not make our
community safer. Residents will be less likely to collaborate with HPD if they think it will lead to the
deportation of their family or community members.
The U.S. Constitution protects all people regardless of citizenship. We are seeing an increase targeting of
permanent legal residents and visa holders for exercising their 15Y amendment rights to oppose genocide,
being from a country the U.S. opposes right now, and having meaningful tattoos of their kids names and
favorite soccer teams. One man's deportation order had 6 different names! These residents are not
receiving due process to fight against allegations and are being ripped away from their family members,
many of whom are their dependent American family members. Recently, a mass email from the State
Department revoked hundreds of student visas of people who shared anti -genocide social media content,
accused them terrorist activity, and threatened them with deportation to countries other than their country
of origin. The U.S. financial agreement with CECOT mega -prison in El Salvador normalizes cruel and unusual
punishment through the mass imprisonment of deportees AND American citizens. These bureaucratic
processes are leading to the kidnapping and human trafficking of innocent people.
All of these actions negatively affect American citizens by creating a culture of fear around exercising our
constitutional rights. We are seeing people ripped off the streets by plains clothes ICE agents. American
citizens being detained by ICE. My Puerto Rican mom is already worried she needs to carry her birth
certificate when traveling out of Hawai'i, this MOU would increase the odds of an administrative error
wrongfully detaining and deporting citizens of Hawaii. We should not be forced to carry our birth
certificates to feel safe leaving our homes. The Department of Justice has claimed that they do not have
jurisdiction to correct these mistakes once they arrive at CEDOT. Aside from refusing to participate in the
dehumanization of our residents, HPD should not participate in unconstitutional acts as it could lead to
lawsuits draining our budget.
Some of the Supreme Court rulings HPD could violate by agreeing to this MOU are:
Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678 (2001) COMITI. �'
Bridges v. Wixon, 326 U.S. 135 (1945) Rif. Tll:
1 Ref. 0a
Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 (1886)
Mathews v. Diaz, 426 U.S. 67 (1976)
Kwong Hai Chew v. Cotding, 344 U.S. 590 (1953)
As America doubles down on it's fascism, leaders in Hawai'i, like you all, should do everything in your power
to protect our residents.
Thank you for your time,
Shantee Brown
75-154 Lunapule Rd.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740